Revision history for ZackarrivesinBaltimore
Revision [6155]
Last edited on 2009-05-05 21:42:30 by FalconNomad [adding a bit of description to deal with Sam]Additions:
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside," she said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then stood, her thoughts jumping for a moment from the medical procedures racing through her mind to Sam who was bound to know about this already. Lara glanced quickly to the large dark windows that looked over the skyline. There were only a few apartments with lights on at this hour but she knew which one to look for and then held up both hands in a halting gesture before they raked through her tussled hair and she moved swiftly to close the door.
She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Instantly she was back on track and gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the sunglasses and tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Her curiosity was peaked but the vulnerable life in her care trumped any investigations for the moment, although she knew that she would discover their secrets soon enough. Turning back she gently but systematically proceeded in dealing with his layered shirts, adding them to the pile of filthy fabric. Underneath she found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Instantly she was back on track and gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the sunglasses and tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Her curiosity was peaked but the vulnerable life in her care trumped any investigations for the moment, although she knew that she would discover their secrets soon enough. Turning back she gently but systematically proceeded in dealing with his layered shirts, adding them to the pile of filthy fabric. Underneath she found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
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Belongs to categories: AllEvents
Additions:
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside," she said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Her curiosity was peaked but the vulnerable life in her care trumped any investigations for the moment, although she knew that she would discover their secrets soon enough. Turning back she gently but systematically proceeded in dealing with his layered shirts, adding them to the pile of filthy fabric. Underneath she found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing and continued to grow the mound of laundry at her side, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg and looked curiously over a region where the pants had been burned but his skin was untouched. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet at his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her right hand squarely on Zack's bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her, pulling them into a boiling mix in the center of her body. She began pulsing her arm as she took that intangible mass from her core and began moving it in time with the building rhythm down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then the world swirled, the pillow grew larger, and then everything crashed down into darkness.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing and continued to grow the mound of laundry at her side, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg and looked curiously over a region where the pants had been burned but his skin was untouched. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet at his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her right hand squarely on Zack's bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her, pulling them into a boiling mix in the center of her body. She began pulsing her arm as she took that intangible mass from her core and began moving it in time with the building rhythm down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then the world swirled, the pillow grew larger, and then everything crashed down into darkness.
Deletions:
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing and continued to grow mound of laundry at her side, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg and looked curiously over a region where the pants leg had been burned but his skin was untouched. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet at his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her right hand squarely on Zack's bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body, pulling them into a boiling mix in the center of her body. She began pulsing her arm as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the movement of her body, down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then the world swirled, the pillow grew larger, and then everything crashed down into darkness.
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**Location:** 491 Lake Avenue Baltimore, MD
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"Are you...?" she asked before she caught herself, then shaking her head at her own stupidity as he lurched forward, out of the elevator, still bracing himself against the walls. The bloody stains on his dark shirt were difficult to see but the streaks across the hand that was pressed to his side were clear as he moved. Her training took over and she quickly accessed the situation. "You've got to get to a hospital," she said quickly, moving over to help keep him upright and reached to call back the elevator. He leaned against her even as his free hand lashed out, grabbing her wrist in a steel grasp.
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside," she said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Turning back she dealt with his layered shirts, adding them to the pile of filthy fabric. Underneath she found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing and continued to grow mound of laundry at her side, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg and looked curiously over a region where the pants leg had been burned but his skin was untouched. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet at his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her right hand squarely on Zack's bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body, pulling them into a boiling mix in the center of her body. She began pulsing her arm as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the movement of her body, down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then the world swirled, the pillow grew larger, and then everything crashed down into darkness.
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside," she said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Turning back she dealt with his layered shirts, adding them to the pile of filthy fabric. Underneath she found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing and continued to grow mound of laundry at her side, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg and looked curiously over a region where the pants leg had been burned but his skin was untouched. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet at his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her right hand squarely on Zack's bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body, pulling them into a boiling mix in the center of her body. She began pulsing her arm as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the movement of her body, down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then the world swirled, the pillow grew larger, and then everything crashed down into darkness.
Deletions:
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside," she said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Turning back she dealt with his layered shirts and found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet by his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her hand squarely on his bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body. Her arm pulsed as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the pulses down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then everything crashed down into darkness.
Additions:
When it opened the smell of smoke trickled out into the hall, emanating from the tall dark form that leaned against one of the elevator walls. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to hold back a gasp as Zack slumped in a long black coat that was marred by fire and ash and had obviously suffered through numerous other hazards. His dark brown hair was shaggy, stubble covered his chin and cheeks, his glasses were scratched and his clothes wrinkled from long wear and damp from the snow that had started to fall a few hours earlier. With one arm he braced himself against the inner railing while the other was wrapped in the shadows around his stomach. His shaded eyes looked up at her through the opened doorway and even given all of his ragged condition he smiled weakly.
"Are you alright?" she asked before she caught herself, then shaking her head at her own stupidity as he lurched forward, out of the elevator, still bracing himself against the walls. The bloody stains on his dark shirt were difficult to see but the streaks across the hand that was pressed to his side were clear as he moved. Her training took over and she quickly accessed the situation. "You've got to get to a hospital," she said quickly, moving over to help keep him upright and reached to call back the elevator. He leaned against her even as his free hand lashed out, grabbing her wrist in a steel grasp.
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside," she said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Turning back she dealt with his layered shirts and found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet by his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her hand squarely on his bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body. Her arm pulsed as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the pulses down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then everything crashed down into darkness.
"Are you alright?" she asked before she caught herself, then shaking her head at her own stupidity as he lurched forward, out of the elevator, still bracing himself against the walls. The bloody stains on his dark shirt were difficult to see but the streaks across the hand that was pressed to his side were clear as he moved. Her training took over and she quickly accessed the situation. "You've got to get to a hospital," she said quickly, moving over to help keep him upright and reached to call back the elevator. He leaned against her even as his free hand lashed out, grabbing her wrist in a steel grasp.
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside," she said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a low curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the tattered clothing. She found the long coat surprisingly heavy, bulging and deep pockets filled with a variety of shapes that fell into a lump as she set it down on the carpeted floor. Turning back she dealt with his layered shirts and found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body and went to work on the gashes from additional bullet wounds that were on his right leg. She worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch then gathered a pile of blankets from the spare bedroom and covered him back up. Then she went and grabbed a pillow for herself and knelt down on the carpet by his side.
Setting the pillow down, she tried to judge the angles, knowing that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her hand squarely on his bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body. Her arm pulsed as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the pulses down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she thought she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then everything crashed down into darkness.
Deletions:
"Are you alright?" she asked before she caught herself, then shaking her head at her own stupidity as he lurched forward, out of the elevator, still bracing himself against the walls. The bloody stains on his dark shirt were difficult to see but the stain across the hand that was pressd to his side was clear as he moved. Her training took over and she quickly accessed the situation. "You've got to get to a hosiptal," she said quickly, moving over to help keep him upright and reached to call the elevator. He leaned against her even as his free hand lashed out, grabbing her wrist in a steel grasp.
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside." She said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a quiet curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the jacket and shirts and found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body as she worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch. She gathered a pile of blankets and covered him back up then grabbed a pillow for herself.
Setting it at her side, she tried to judge the angles, knowning that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she took a seat by him, pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her hand squarely on his bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body. Her arm pulsed as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the pulses down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she though she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then everything crashed down into darkness.
Additions:
"Hello?" She was met with silence for a moment, but her perceptive ears caught the sound of struggled breathing. She frowned at the sound and stared at the intercoms metal plate as her mind tried tiredly to determine what was going on.
"I need..." he coughed again and seemed to speak through clenched teeth. "help...please..." He managed to get out.
When it opened the smell of smoke trickled out into the hall, emanating from the tall dark form that leaned against one of the elevator walls. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to hold back a gasp as Zack slumped in a long black coat that was marred by fire and ash and had obviously suffered through numerous other hazards. His dark brown hair was shaggy, stubble covered his chin and cheeks, his glasses were scratched and his clothes wrinkled from long wear and damp from the snow that had started to fall a few hours earlier. With one arm he braced himself against the inner railing while the other was wrapped in the shadows around his stomach. His shaded eyes looked up at her through the opened doorway and through all of his ragged condition he smiled weakly.
"I need..." he coughed again and seemed to speak through clenched teeth. "help...please..." He managed to get out.
When it opened the smell of smoke trickled out into the hall, emanating from the tall dark form that leaned against one of the elevator walls. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to hold back a gasp as Zack slumped in a long black coat that was marred by fire and ash and had obviously suffered through numerous other hazards. His dark brown hair was shaggy, stubble covered his chin and cheeks, his glasses were scratched and his clothes wrinkled from long wear and damp from the snow that had started to fall a few hours earlier. With one arm he braced himself against the inner railing while the other was wrapped in the shadows around his stomach. His shaded eyes looked up at her through the opened doorway and through all of his ragged condition he smiled weakly.
Deletions:
"I need..." he coughed again and seemed to speak through clentched teeth. "help...please..." He mananged to get out.
When it opened the smell of smoke trickled out into the hall, emanating from the tall dark form that leaned against one of the elevator walls. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to hold back a gasp as Zack slumped in a long dark coat that was marred by fire and ash and had obviously suffered through numerous other hazards. His dark brown hair was shaggy, his glasses scratched and his clothes wrinkled and damp from the snow that had started to fall a few hours earlier. With one arm he braced himself against the inner railing while the other was wrapped in the shadows around his stomach. His shaded eyes looked up at her through the opened doorway and through all of his ragged condition he smiled weakily.
Additions:
**Participants:** [[LaraCooper Lara Cooper]], [[ZackGraves Zack Graves]]
Additions:
====Zack arrives in Baltimore====
**Date:** 15 January 2007 CE 11:55 pm
**Location:** Baltimore, MD
Lara frowned over at the intercom as it buzzed loudly, stabbing into the music that hovered in the background. Papers were strewn across the low black table in the center of the living room and she was already on her second massive cup of coffee for the night. The stacks didn't seem to be getting any smaller no matter how many files she worked through and now there was someone downstairs. She checked her pager, resting under a pile at her right but it just stared back at her quietly. It wasn't the hospital, she thought as she rose to her bare feet, the ends of long sweat pants trailing at her heels. Then who, she speculated, as she stepped towards the intercom and pressed down on the small white button.
"Hello?" she was met with silence for a moment, but her perceptive ears caught the sound of struggled breathing. She frowned at the sound and stared at the intercoms metal plate as her mind tried tiredly to determine what was going on.
"Lara?" asked a mans voice after a long moment. He was straining to speak, that was easy to tell, and though pained and tired the voice was also familiar.
"Zack?" She said, almost at a whisper, surprise and disbelief coating the name.
"I need..." he coughed again and seemed to speak through clentched teeth. "help...please..." He mananged to get out.
She stared at the intercom for a second time, blinking at it dumbly before pressing on the second button, the one that unlocked the main door where he was standing and opened to the elevator lobby. "Thank you..." he added just before the intercom fell silent. For a moment she pulled the long sweater that hung heavily on her shoulders more tightly around her, crossing her arms and still trying to push through being tired and drained and respond to this unexpected situation. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to shake her brain free of the cobwebs and gauze as she made her way to the door and out towards the elevator, glancing up at the glowing numbers as the lift rose to the 6th and top floor.
When it opened the smell of smoke trickled out into the hall, emanating from the tall dark form that leaned against one of the elevator walls. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to hold back a gasp as Zack slumped in a long dark coat that was marred by fire and ash and had obviously suffered through numerous other hazards. His dark brown hair was shaggy, his glasses scratched and his clothes wrinkled and damp from the snow that had started to fall a few hours earlier. With one arm he braced himself against the inner railing while the other was wrapped in the shadows around his stomach. His shaded eyes looked up at her through the opened doorway and through all of his ragged condition he smiled weakily.
"Are you alright?" she asked before she caught herself, then shaking her head at her own stupidity as he lurched forward, out of the elevator, still bracing himself against the walls. The bloody stains on his dark shirt were difficult to see but the stain across the hand that was pressd to his side was clear as he moved. Her training took over and she quickly accessed the situation. "You've got to get to a hosiptal," she said quickly, moving over to help keep him upright and reached to call the elevator. He leaned against her even as his free hand lashed out, grabbing her wrist in a steel grasp.
"No," he said with obvious but determined effort. "No hospitals..." she frowned as he struggled for once with his words, his grasp failing and falling to the side, "no one else...not safe..." She held him up for a moment longer, caught between the two choices. His pale face stared down at her as she considered, then his chin fell towards his chest as she turned to put her shoulder under his arm.
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside." She said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a quiet curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the jacket and shirts and found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body as she worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch. She gathered a pile of blankets and covered him back up then grabbed a pillow for herself.
Setting it at her side, she tried to judge the angles, knowning that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she took a seat by him, pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her hand squarely on his bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body. Her arm pulsed as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the pulses down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she though she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then everything crashed down into darkness.
**Date:** 15 January 2007 CE 11:55 pm
**Location:** Baltimore, MD
Lara frowned over at the intercom as it buzzed loudly, stabbing into the music that hovered in the background. Papers were strewn across the low black table in the center of the living room and she was already on her second massive cup of coffee for the night. The stacks didn't seem to be getting any smaller no matter how many files she worked through and now there was someone downstairs. She checked her pager, resting under a pile at her right but it just stared back at her quietly. It wasn't the hospital, she thought as she rose to her bare feet, the ends of long sweat pants trailing at her heels. Then who, she speculated, as she stepped towards the intercom and pressed down on the small white button.
"Hello?" she was met with silence for a moment, but her perceptive ears caught the sound of struggled breathing. She frowned at the sound and stared at the intercoms metal plate as her mind tried tiredly to determine what was going on.
"Lara?" asked a mans voice after a long moment. He was straining to speak, that was easy to tell, and though pained and tired the voice was also familiar.
"Zack?" She said, almost at a whisper, surprise and disbelief coating the name.
"I need..." he coughed again and seemed to speak through clentched teeth. "help...please..." He mananged to get out.
She stared at the intercom for a second time, blinking at it dumbly before pressing on the second button, the one that unlocked the main door where he was standing and opened to the elevator lobby. "Thank you..." he added just before the intercom fell silent. For a moment she pulled the long sweater that hung heavily on her shoulders more tightly around her, crossing her arms and still trying to push through being tired and drained and respond to this unexpected situation. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to shake her brain free of the cobwebs and gauze as she made her way to the door and out towards the elevator, glancing up at the glowing numbers as the lift rose to the 6th and top floor.
When it opened the smell of smoke trickled out into the hall, emanating from the tall dark form that leaned against one of the elevator walls. Her hand covered her mouth, trying to hold back a gasp as Zack slumped in a long dark coat that was marred by fire and ash and had obviously suffered through numerous other hazards. His dark brown hair was shaggy, his glasses scratched and his clothes wrinkled and damp from the snow that had started to fall a few hours earlier. With one arm he braced himself against the inner railing while the other was wrapped in the shadows around his stomach. His shaded eyes looked up at her through the opened doorway and through all of his ragged condition he smiled weakily.
"Are you alright?" she asked before she caught herself, then shaking her head at her own stupidity as he lurched forward, out of the elevator, still bracing himself against the walls. The bloody stains on his dark shirt were difficult to see but the stain across the hand that was pressd to his side was clear as he moved. Her training took over and she quickly accessed the situation. "You've got to get to a hosiptal," she said quickly, moving over to help keep him upright and reached to call the elevator. He leaned against her even as his free hand lashed out, grabbing her wrist in a steel grasp.
"No," he said with obvious but determined effort. "No hospitals..." she frowned as he struggled for once with his words, his grasp failing and falling to the side, "no one else...not safe..." She held him up for a moment longer, caught between the two choices. His pale face stared down at her as she considered, then his chin fell towards his chest as she turned to put her shoulder under his arm.
"Alright, a few more steps and we'll get you inside." She said steadily as she walked them back into her apartment. His steps were heavy and wavering but he stayed with her until they reached the long black couch. She rested him down on the plush cushions as gently as she could but by then he was almost too heavy for her to handle. Finally, she helped him lay down, then moved swiftly to close the door. She let out a quiet curse as she turned back and could see him slowly slipping into unconciousness. Quickly she gathered what supplies she needed then began talking quietly to him, trying to give him a voice to focus on as she began pulling away the jacket and shirts and found the dried and clogged bullet hole that punctured his side. He groaned as she cleared the site and started treating it with steady, well practiced hands and the remains from her field kit.
The minutes stretched on as she cleaned and checked, stitched and bandaged both the entry and exit wounds and then set about making sure there were no additional complications. Zack for his part had fallen into a light slumber but as she worked on his injuries and cleared away the burned and ragged clothing, he would shift, obviously in a troubled and pained sleep. She frowned at the obvious scars and older wounds that she discovered speckling his body as she worked until she had him cleaned and set as comfortably as she could on the soft couch. She gathered a pile of blankets and covered him back up then grabbed a pillow for herself.
Setting it at her side, she tried to judge the angles, knowning that she wouldn't have much time between the next step and blacking out. The choice was simple though so she took a seat by him, pulled back the blankets enough to be able to place her hand squarely on his bare sternum and took a deep breath. She concentrated, pooling together all of the tired energies and the waning threads of adrenaline running through her body. Her arm pulsed as she took that intangible mass from her core and pushed it in rhythm with the pulses down her arm and towards the injured man now occupying her couch. With a final push, she forced it to jump from her into his bare chest. For a moment she though she caught him take a deeper, calmer breath, but then everything crashed down into darkness.
