Meet Me Halfway

Strange noises I hear, yet I familiar with. Beep, Beep, Beep. Muffled voices. I hear someone say, nurse we need a new IV and reduce dosage. She's coming out of the coma. 'What the hell'...I struggle to open my eyes. There are dim lights, curtains are closed. I hear a chair being slid over the floor.

Well hello Alli, good morning. This is Dr. Emily Matson. You are in Amsterdam Hospital. You were admitted last night. Do you remember anything? Do you remember you work here? Your residency was 4 years but you accepted the position to be an attending physician...remember your party?

"yes. I have a splitting headache. What happened?" as I said trying to sit up, my mouth is like a cotton ball so dry. "wait a moment, the we will raise the bed a bit to a small sitting position." The Dr Watson stated as the nurse came to the side of the bed and pushed the bottom on the hospital bed just a bit and adjusted my pillows.

My name is Allison Stark, Alli for short. This is my first year being an attending physician her at Amsterdam Hospital in New York. I had graduated high school two years early, applied to undergraduate college to study medicine. I had options to be a pharmacist or go one to medical school. I pushed myself in all subjects. I was the youngest in my class at 19. I had to prove to myself I can do anything. Not being very tall at 5'4" ambered-colored eyes. My grandmother used to tease me when I was younger saying I had "evil devil eyes" or "having supernatural powers". We're supposed to make the best lovers. I guess if I was married or had a boyfriend. I have long brunette hair I usually keep in a messy bun. Don't know anything about make-up. Always in scrubs, But I love it. I'm pretty much healthy fit, not a body builder or anything. I have curves in all the right places. When I have time, I go to yoga classes here at the lower level of the hospital.

I entered medical school, thinking 8 years and hopefully make my residency in New York. I loved New York. The people, the weather, the traffic, everything. And best treat once a month I stop at Grays Papaya Hot Dogs for a chili cheese dog. Oh. My. God. The. Best. Hot Dogs ever! Someone always said you can pick a spot to sit down on a bench or a step and the city would go by or some crap like that. I just love winters. If you are ever there, Rockefeller Center is the place to be. It reminds me of when my parents were alive. Mom, dad, grandma and grandpa used to make the special trip there during Christmas time. Shopping, dining and of course, the walk at Rockefeller Center. Special relationships with family and friends.

Some of my thoughts used to be actually having a relationship that would last more than two dates, but who was I kidding. I only had a one-track mind 'be the best I can be, no one will stop me'. My grandmother used to tell me that on Saturdays when I did my laundry at her home in Highlands Town across the Hudson. I lost my parents in a car accident when I was 12 and went to live with my grandmother. Going back to her house just about every weekend for home cooked food.

Well, it was a good drive up there to clear your mind. Only thing was the jerk, Robert Sanchez, came to my mind whenever I crossed over to "West Point" side. I was with him during junior and senior years in high school. Not to mention 1 year of undergraduate college. Until I walked in his parents home and found out I was not the only one he was "loving". I hated myself for freezing and standing there like an idiot, thinking he would jump up and say I'm sorry I made a mistake. Instead, he smiled and said "oh, you're early". I stared at him and instantly replied "nope! right on time...and have a good life" on my way out the door. I cursed myself for not seeing it sooner. "Dumbass, dumbass, dumbass. Couldn't believe it, yeah right. Asshole, I wasted time and money on this rich kid.

Thinking of the song...

I don't always wake up in the mornin'

Pour myself a strong one

Aw, but when I get lonely I do

Your memory gets to burnin'

Lean back on the bourbon

Sure as hell can't keep leanin' on you

Looks like I'm learnin' the hard way again

It's all my fault, yeah, I dropped the ball

You're gone, and I'm gone three sheets to the wind

Thinkin' 'bout all

I've wasted on you

All of this time and all of this money

All of these sorrys' I don't owe you honey

All of these miles on this Chevy and prayers in a pew, all them days

I spent wasted on you

Wasted on you

Yeah, I swore this one'd be different

My heart wouldn't listen

To my head in these boots on my feet

Looks like I'm learnin' the hard way again

That's why I've been

My only thoughts after that ...

'No one can break me down. I know my worth and it's a beautiful thing' thank you Iggy!

Dr Emma grabs my chart off the door and announces "you have visitor, this is Detective Charlene Machado. Do you remember anything from last night?" the detective comes into view and stands over by the window. I started to panic 'what the f**k happened to me'. I started to try and sit up more and got a jolt of pain from the side of my head and ribcage area. My hands felt tight. I looked down and had bruising and my nails were tore up. Not that I ever indulged in manicures but seriously it looked like I was working at a butcher shop. Dried blood. Crap was it mine?

I felt groggy, dry mouth probably because of any medication I was given. "No, I am not sure. My memory is kind of foggy" I replied. Feeling dazed, I started to reach up and touch my head. I had a few bandages around my hands and a forehead patch.

"Try and remain calm. You were admitted last by paramedics. You have a slight concussion and several nasty bruises. It seems someone thought you were a punching bag. You put up a hell of fight. No sexual trauma or plainly no evidence of assault" Dr Emma replies. Oh yeah, that's a relief. Let's see what is next on the list, no milk, lactose intolerant, gluten free foods... oh hell no. I grew up drinking whole milk, walking barefoot around my grandparents country home. Yes, my feet got dirty. I have hardly ever get sick. I think the last time I was sick was 20 years ago. Chicken pox fifth grade. Just about the entire school got it.

I tried to sit up a bit, but the nurse that was still in the room said, "let me help you honey".

"Good morning, Miss Stark, my name is detective Charlene Machado. You were brought in last night by paramedics that were just outside the hospital. She reminded me of that detective on Law & Order, can't remember her name but could pass for a model or an actress. She had a look about her, strong and defiant almost. I wondered what her story was all about.

"Nurse can I have a cup of water or ice chips?" I asked the attending nurse. She was already walking out of the room and replied "certainly". Remembering our nurses were the best. Dealing with people and daily issues, most of them had the best work ethic and attitude.

I turned my attention to the detective that was standing by the window. "You said attacked?" I asked the Doctor and looked at the detective.

"You got a hell of a beating. I surprised you are awake this soon" the detective said. As I was sitting there thinking and it seemed like a rush of thoughts scrambling around in my head. She pulled out her notebook from her coat pocket and took a pen from her other inside pocket. Do all cops were the same type of clothing? Not this one, she had a leather jacket, worn but still in good condition and boots, like biker boots. Cool but different. I like her.

"I remember walking out after my shift, talking with some of my co-workers as we were leaving the building. I remember walking past the parking garage, heading toward the bus stop." A majority of the nurses on my shift did the ride share thing, some hospital workers had rides, some rode the bus and some walked. I love walking in this city. Well I think I still do.

I lived three blocks from the hospital, its crazy to try and buy a car just to move it three blocks twice a day. I normally worked the graveyard shift, but yesterday I worked a double shift to help cover a co-worker that was out on leave.

"So you don't park in the garage?" asked Detective Machado. "no car, I only live a short distance away and usually walk. I live three blocks away and usually walk after my shift. But I worked a double and it was pretty late so I was going to take the bus. I usually don't walk late a night. Well you know, this is New York." I said. The detective gives me a slanted smile. She starts walking toward the chair next to the bed and sits. She adjusts her jacket. I noticed she kind of remind me of this girl I met in college. She was a badass. She was taking legal courses to become an attorney. She always said she was going to be the next District Attorney and was take down a many crime lords as possible. Her name was Lorilee Clark. Always goes by Lee Clark. I remember we were at the same frat party and one of the girls there was drinking with a group of guys and suddenly passed out. One of the guys starts to pick her ups and starts to carry her up the stairs and Lee stops him. Says, "I know what you and your friends did." The guy froze and handed the passed out girl over to Lee's waiting arms. Lee and another girl help carry out the passed out girl to Lees blazer. I was shocked that no one else caught it. Someone had slipped something in the girls drink. Lee told another girl there" this is why I told you girls to wear the special nail polish that changes color if anyone has messes with your drink." Like I watch on a lot of police shows, I had no freaking idea. I heard Lee Clark was in somewhere moving up the courts possibly an assistant DA by now.

"Well, the doctor has confirmed you were not sexually assaulted" she clearly states. Bringing me out of my thoughts, I sat up straight squared my shoulders and winced a bit. "However, you sustained quite a bit of injuries. Do you remember anything of the attack? There was a reporting person that called this into 911 emergency services from a cell phone. He called in his location saying he had just left the Lucciola's Italian restaurant across the street down two blocks. Street cameras confirmed a man leaving the restaurant and see him stop in the middle of the road and turned and ran into the entrance of an alley just next to the parking garage. This is where the paramedics found you. The caller said you were and brought you straight into emergency downstairs. However, the paramedics looked for the man to get his information and he was no where to be found. Security cameras only show dark clothing." Paramedics said the guy reported he ran after the unknown perpetrator. I looked up from rubbing my hands together. I strained to remember walking past the parking garage and searched my memory...."yes".

I just finished my meeting with my handler. Niko was something else when it came to 'freelancing' he liked to call our job assignments. Mercenary for hire...how else would you advertise it? I had been in the military right out of high school. Dating once or thrice, I'm no prince. I'd rather hunt down 'the bad guy'. Thought about police work, too much recording time, politics and not enough money in it for me. I have been on 'job assignments for almost 10 years now, save up a pretty penny. Looking to buy a small cabin in the country and just breath.

I'm pretty good with computers, maybe I can find a 'remote work from home' job just for daily expenses. I'm 6'0" fit build, blue eyes. I like to work out mainly kick boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. An occasional suit is fine but prefer to dress down, relaxed. Jeans, plain t-shirt and work boots. I can blend in easier in any crowd. Favorite food- Italian, hence Lucciola's Italian restaurant is my usual spot for meetings. As I was leaving exiting the front door, I had just taken a couple steps onto the sidewalk and hear this piercing scream just 50 yards in front of me. I bolted across the street and see a guy duck back into the alley take off running. There's someone leaning up against the building.

As I move closer it's a woman in scrubs. Medical worker? of some sort. I kneel at her side and move her hair aside from her face. My God, she's beautiful. Dark brown hair, maybe brunette. Her eyes amber colored. Stunning. Great Hutch, think she's just been attacked she needs immediate help. I look up and stand, taking three steps back out of the alleyway. I look to the left, nothing, no one of course. I turn right and a block down just at the street see the emergency room entrance. I grab my phone calling 911 to report the incident. Not sure I want to more the woman, she starts to moan and turn to her side trying to sit up or possibly stand. "Just hold miss. I'm call 911 for you." I tell her. 911 operator answers. I give the operator the information of the incident and the location of the victim. I did not get a good look at the perpetrators face, but body build, clothing, lingering smell in the alley I should be able to catch up with him quickly if I leave now.

But I look down and realize I cannot just leave her here. I need to make sure she gets help and now. As I'm talking to the 911 operator, I am standing at the alley entrance and see a paramedic unit just pull up to the entrance of the emergency entrance. One of the paramedics is on the radio. He gets out of the front of the vehicle, turns and is facing me. I start waving my hands in the air and whistling loudly, crossing my arms back and forth. He sees me and reaches back into the emergency vehicle grabs a bag and yells back at the other paramedic that had stopped at the entrance of the hospital. The paramedic with the bag starts running toward me and the other paramedic jumps back into the emergency vehicle and starts driving back towards me. The one paramedic that was running reaches me and says, "where is the victim." I point into the alley, and he immediately goes to her. I follow them watching closely for some reason I cannot figure it out yet.

I hear him say "Alli, geez what happened darlin". The emergency vehicle pulls up and the other guy jumps out. "I'm grabbing the gurney from the back". I hear, "Jack hurry, It's Alli from the 2nd floor". "Geez, is she conscious?" Jacks asks. "She's in and out, Manny hurry with the gurney". The woman named Alli mumbles under her breath Senator Dever..." and she goes quiet. Would she be trying to get a message out about Senator Deveraux? She started to mumble again. But I could not hear any words coming out. I wanted to jump in and help these guys but did not really want anyone to remember my face. I watched as they checked her vitals, put a neck brace and an arm wrap for the blood pressure monitor. Her name is Alli, beautiful. I start to wonder what the attacker wanted. Just an assault. Not likely. He wanted something and by the looks of it. He wanted it badly. Injuries like what she had is a clear message. I'm pretty familiar with those types of messages in my line of work.

The paramedics loaded her up in the emergency vehicle in less than 4 minutes. Jack is jumping into the driver side and yells over to me to come the hospital, they need more information for the police. Sorry guy, not happening. I waited until the emergency vehicle turned around and I started down the alley. It had been roughly 20 minutes since the guy took off running back into the long alley. I walked to the next street, proceeded down to the next block. No dogs barking. No movement anywhere. I keep going the next two blocks and walking straight to the pier market area. Just people cleaning up. I stop and ask a guy just getting into his delivery truck and ask if he seen anyone coming from the alley. He says "no bro, do you need help or something?" I told him the was a woman found pretty banged up and was checking the area for anyone of the description I gave 911. No help but thankful for his offer on needing help. You don't get that everywhere. There are people out there that do offer to help in situations like this, but not everywhere.

The delivery guy says, check with the other guys in the market here. They may be able to help. I told him thanks. I can't risk too many people remembering my face. So, I turn and walk back into the alley, heading back to the restaurant where Niko is still at. There's something about that woman that is stuck in my mind. There's just a protective feeling in my gut. And I always follow my gut.

Niko was standing at the bar when I walked back into the restaurant. He turns to me "I thought you were done for the night. Looking for another freelance gig?" he chuckles. "Do you have any activity on Deveraux?" I ask. He rubs his jaw, "funny that you ask. He's leaving the state to gather more intel on the cartel job we are currently working. You want in?" he pauses looking at me. "Yep, this is going to be quite interesting. The was a woman across the way attacked and pretty beaten up and she was mumbling Deveraux's name. I need to look into this woman just take over to Amsterdam Hospital. Can you send me the file?" I ask. "You wanting to know about the pay?" He looks back at me from his laptop that he just put back on the counter and opened up. "don't care how much, just need in" He start to turn to head back out. "I see. You are more interested in the woman?" he questions with a smirk. "No brother, she caught my attention when I was helping her, but when she mumbled Deveraux's name that made it more interesting. I knew we were working on something for the senator. Heading back home now. Send me file and YOU try and stay away from the ladies."

"No way bro, I'm down for some fun tonight. If you know what I mean!" ha. He's dork but he's my best friend since we were 8 years old. Went to school together, got into trouble together. Both went into the military together. After we were discharged Niko found an opportunity to become a handler for a special ops division that handles certain cases that the government wants 'cleaned up but quietly'. Niko called me for a meeting and 3 other guys from our former unit. There are 4 of us that handle 'special gigs.' Thomas Quinn, Reggie Sanders and Conor Kupps. Niko Jandaza was our lead in the military. He is also my best friend. Thomas was on assignment in Russia. Reggie was in South America and Conor has just got back from Africa. We are known as the Zombie Squad. We take ultimate elimination assignments no one wants. Thomas lost his parents when he was 16 years old, no other family. Reggie was in the system as an orphan until he was 17 years old. No know family. Conor was from a wealthy family. He chose to walk away from. Parents did not care about anything but their money. He was an only child. Expected to run the family business. He hated corporate America. He chose to walk away from their money as well. The five of us together made a hell of a team. Niko always looked out for us. So, after we were discharged, Niko called us up one by one offering small gigs here and there.

We all enlisted the same day and were part of the same unit. Four brothers had each other's six. We are each other's family. But my thoughts went back to the woman named Alli. The look in her eyes. Fear. No control. Anger. I know that feeling. Thoughts of checking up on her condition. We are supposed to remain in plain sight, but not visible. It's bugging me. Deveraux. What does this woman have to do with the senator? We have an assignment with the senator. Was she a mark? I need to get home and fire up my laptop. Some part of my heart fluttered when I looked into her eyes. I have never had that feeling before. I wanted to feel it again.

Having a strange feeling I was contemplating going back to the hospital to check on "Alli". I wanted to know more about her. Like I was feeling drawn to her. Need to protect her. Why?

"Yes, there was a guy that was walking out of the alley. He stopped a few feet away from me and mumbled something like "Hello, sweetness. I need to know about your patient Willian Deveraux". I stop suddenly since he was already directly in front of me. I said "what? Who are you? why would I know this person?" I know who it was. William Deveraux was a patient that came in earlier this week. Better yet Senator Deveraux. Why was he wanting to know about him? I stumbled a bit and kept myself from falling to the ground.

He says, "look just tell me what he was treated for and I know he was leaving the state. I just need to know when he was leaving." And of course my reply "you might want to contact him directly. Don't know him, can't help you. And if I did, there's nothing I would tell you. Now please move out of my way". Next thing my face meets a fist. I give the detective all of the details. She gives me a smirk and continues to write in her notebook. "I remember screaming for HELP and another punch from behind me as I had turned to try and run back to the hospital entrance." She asked "he asked about Senator Deveraux?" I confirmed her question. I told her about patient-doctor confidentiality. There is nothing I would tell anyone about my patients. I tell the detective "I am not much of a fighter physically. But I will change that now. I may switch up from yoga to kick-boxing or something." She looks at me and says "I may be able to help you out there, sister. Just call me when you are feeling better".

"Can you describe the attacker?" Detective Machado asked as she opened her note pad again. She had a fierce look about her, almost like she was angry to do this. Her eyes softened just a bit, when I stared at her. "this is not your fault Allison. Women are assaulted every day. But you can be stronger going forward." I now had a questioning look on my face. "are you able to remember details on his face, build, clothing, tattoos, scars?" she asked.

"He was about 5'10 or 5'11, about 190 lbs. Stocky building. Dark over coat, military style boots, dark jeans with rips in the knees." I kept thinking to myself, 'remember dang it remember'. Just as I started to look up and the detective after searching around the room "Oh yeah, smoker – heavy smoker. I remember his smell. Cigarette smoke and body odor. There's something else but I can't put my finger on it." I stated.

Taking her time to write in the pad she had in her palm, I kept internally thinking you were able to study and memorize the human body, surgical procedures, birthdates of friends and family. But this, is kicking my butt. Searching my memory talking to myself over and over again. "ocean – he smelt like salt water like the seashore. He also smelt faint of fish combo of garbage"..."oh yes, yes, yes and lightening bolt tattoo just above his eye brow – right side. Maybe an inch in length – not too noticeable. I was trying to remember everything. And oh yeah, Russian type of accent."

What was going on with the Senator. A simple check on his remission before he travels out of the country. He was doing fine. All tests showed he was still in clear

There's a fish market on the dock just a couple of miles near the Hudson. I kept thinking maybe a "drunk sailor" crazy thought. But why was he wanting information on the senator? Just as I was deep in thought the nurse walked back in, after a slight knock, with a cup of ice chips and a small plastic pitcher of water on a small cart she pushed into the room. There was a small blue cup with a plastic cover she had to rip the seam open. She hands me the cup and says "doctor sent this for your headache."

I tipped the cup and let it fall into my hand. Raised my hand to my mouth and let it drop inside my mouth, taking a sip from the cup of water the nurse had just poured and tipped my head back.

"I'll just leave this here for you. this is the end of my shift Allison. Just push the button on the call box if you need the nurse before she comes in to check your chart." She said as she smiled at me and nodded to the detective. I thanked her as she walked out of the room. She stopped and glanced over her shoulder and replied "You are strong lady don't let this stop you!"

The detective had looked up at the exiting nurse and looked back at me and said "she's right". "If there is anything else you remember here is my card. I'll start asking questions over at the dock." She hands me here card. "or if you just need someone to talk to. I know, as a woman being a victim, you feel like your freedom has been taken away. That you won't be able to walk down the street to the café or just go for a walk in the park, because you think someone is out there following you. Don't eve think you have silly thoughts about these thoughts. You have to rebuild your strength and strengthen your mind.'"

I looked back at the detective and smiled, wincing from my busted lip. "thank you. I just remembered a fish market odor coming from the guy. He had bushy eye brows, indentation top of his nose. Like it had been broken before with a slant. He had a slight accent like Russian. He was wearing a ring on his right hand – pinkie ring with some kind of wing crest" I had remembered that coming at my face. "This is good information" Detective Machado says.

"I also remember a guy with striking blue eyes moving my hair from my face and asking me if I was okay". Why do people do ask that when they clearly see you are not okay. I had a busted lip and bruising, Really? I'm thinking, nope just walking around and threw myself into the wall! Some comedian saying "here's your sign" came to mind. Love that guy. "I remember voices from Manny and Jack talking to me but I could not answer them" I put her card on the table next to the hospital bed by the telephone. Took a deep breath and flinched a bit, crap my ribs hurt. Man, that guy with the blue eyes was gorgeous. Why can't I meet someone like that when wide awake, dang it.