Best-Laid Plans

[notthatcrazy]

It was supposed to be an easy job. At least that's what Hannibal had said, with his usual bravado. All they had to do was tail the guy who'd been stealing corporate intel from their client and report back when they found his base of operations - at least that was the plan, until they'd been spotted and he'd gotten the drop on them before Face could take him out.

So now he's got a possible concussion and a probable - ow, no, make that a definite broken arm and a very worried partner to deal with.

Comments

[notjustaface]

Face chased the guy as far as he could - but it didn't take long to register that Murdock wasn't getting up and following behind. It didn't matter, the guy managed to get the drop on them right after BA and Hannibal took off in the van.

"Murdock!" He calls, sprinting back toward him - seeing him still down on the ground. "Talk to me, man!"

[notthatcrazy]

He tries to sit up, only to immediately realize that's not the best idea.

"I'm okay."

He's not, but 'I'm not dead' isn't exactly reassuring.

[notjustaface]

"Don't move!" He barks out, doubling his pace until he can see the blood smear on Murdock's head - and then the impossible angle of his arm.

"Yeah... not okay... Jesus."

[notthatcrazy]

"Hey... could be worse, right?"

He lies back on the pavement, trying not to movie his arm... damn, that's a bad break.

[notjustaface]

"Just don't move." Face pursed his lips, crouching down beside him to examine the break.

"Hey, look at me..."

[notthatcrazy]

"I'd have to move," he points out, but tries to look him in the eye anyway.

"It's not as bad as it looks..."

[notjustaface]

"Just turn your head slowly," he sighs, gently running his thumb over the side of his injured hand.

It doesn't look good - he knows Murdock's eyes... crazy eyes, tender eyes, eyes that right now are refusing to focus.

"Keep your eyes open, ok? I'm gonna find something to set this with."

[notthatcrazy]

He's trying, he really is.

"... 'Kay."

[notjustaface]

"Be my look out," he says with a stern look on his face - more worried about his head than his arm. "Got that, Murdock? Watch that door, if it moves then you scream."

Not that he's expecting anything, their pickup isn't for another four hours and the asshole's long gone - but he has to keep him focused.

[notthatcrazy]

"I will."

He's trying to focus, but mostly he just feels like he wants to throw up.

[notjustaface]

"Good..." he manages a nod and impulsively leans forward, kissing just below the split on his head. "Just keep it together, man."

Even in the abandoned house, it's not too hard to find a piece of two by four and a gauzy curtain to tear into strips and at least get his arm tied down to keep it straight.

[notthatcrazy]

He manages a small smile. Somehow the kiss helps a little.

"Face..."

He's fading a little, as the pain gets worse.

[notjustaface]

Face is in the middle of tearing strips and looks up with a wary gaze. "Yeah babe, what's up? I'm getting this ready to straighten out that arm..."

[notthatcrazy]

"Just talk to me, okay? I think I'll be okay if you talk to me..."

Fuck, this is gonna hurt.

[notjustaface]

"Right... yeah..." It takes a moment, shifting focus from the specific task, "this is gonna hurt all right?"

He doesn't wait for a response, that's the trick, and quickly snaps the broken arm into alignment across to board, typing it tight at the wrist before tearing open the bloody sleeve.

[notthatcrazy]

He doesn't even bother trying not to scream. After a while, it subsides into small whimpers.

[notjustaface]

"Good job," he offers a weak smile for Murdock's benefit, biting into his lower lip as he started to tie off the strips.

"Talk to me, baby..." he ties a tight knot, tracing his finger over an old scar he'd never seen before on Murdock's forearm. "Hey, when'd you get this?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Huh?"

His head swims as he turns to look where he's pointing.

"Oh. Uh... In Germany."

[notjustaface]

"Germany?" He raises an eyebrow, finishing the last of the knots with bloody hands that manage to somehow remain still.

"Like in the hospital?"

[notthatcrazy]

He tries to nod... okay, that was unwise.

"Yeah."

He'll talk about it if he asks, but it's not something he really wants to remember.

[notjustaface]

"Hey... don't nod - don't move your head until we get you to an emergency room." In oh... about five hours.

He wipes his hands on his shirt and settles down on the floor beside him. "What happened?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Stupid... got upset an' tried to put my hand through a window."

His words are slightly slurred, his accent more pronounced like it always gets when he's off his game.

"Only happened the once."

[notjustaface]

Leaning in, Face brushes another kiss to his temple.

"It's okay, man... people do some messed up stuff when they're upset."

He almost wants to ask what he was so mad at, but it sounds like the sort of thing too sore to share just yet. Instead, he holds up his right hand, curling his knuckles into a fist to show ragged scars across his knuckles.

"I feel you there, man."

[notthatcrazy]

He takes Face's hand in his good one.

"Keep talkin'..."

He doesn't want to think about being in the hospital any more.

[notjustaface]

He chuckles dryly, shaking his head. "Prison. First night in a holding cell before I got transferred out to Florida."

He unflexes his fingers, lacing them with Murdock's.

"Punched a wall until I couldn't feel the pain anymore."