Author's Note:
Alright, buckle up. This chapter is a bit over 3500 words of pure adrenaline, medical chaos, and probably the worst night of Reagan's life. If you thought Taz was just the quiet guy with a scalpel, you're about to see him at his absolute best... or worst, depending on your perspective.
We've got skull drilling, improvised ambulances, and a level of medical improvisation that would make even the most seasoned ER doctor sweat. If you're squeamish—well, maybe grab a bucket. Or don't. I'm not your mother.
So, grab a snack, maybe a stiff drink, and prepare for a ride. Taz is driving. Literally.
You've been warned. Enjoy the chaos. 😉
The clock was ticking. Taz sat in the dim light of the warehouse, his fingers deftly flipping a scalpel back and forth like it was second nature. Across from him, Rocco leaned against the wall, arms crossed and eyes distant, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
"It's almost midnight, Skylar," Taz answered, his tone flat but curious as his phone buzzed against the metal table.
On the other end, Skylar's voice cracked, breathless and panicked. "Is Rocco there??"
Taz's fingers paused mid-flip, his eyes narrowing. "You're crying... yeah, he's here." Without another word, he put her on speaker.
The moment Skylar's voice filled the room, Rocco's gaze snapped up, the cigarette forgotten. "It's Rae..." Skylar's voice shook, breaking mid-sentence. "They hurt her really bad."
Rocco's jaw clenched, and his eyes darkened with a fury that sent a chill through the room. Taz didn't wait for questions. He was already on his feet, snapping the medical kit shut and nodding towards Rocco, who crushed the cigarette under his boot. They moved in sync, like gears in a well-oiled machine, urgency in every step as they headed for the back of the warehouse. Parked under a flickering light was Taz's GMC—an unassuming beast on the outside, but inside it was something else. Taz had stripped it down and rebuilt it from scratch; a makeshift ambulance with equipment that would make any paramedic envious.
"Taz," Rocco started, his voice hard and controlled. "How bad is it?"
"Walk me through her injuries, tell me everything you see. We're ten minutes away with a gurney and a med kit." Skylar's breath hitched on the other end. "Her face... it's swollen, one eye is completely shut, and there's so much blood. Her ribs—she can't breathe properly. I think... I think they broke them. And her hip... she can't move it."
Taz's fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles white with tension. "Okay, keep her awake. I don't care how, talk to her, scream at her if you have to. Just keep her conscious. We're almost there."
Rocco said nothing, but his gaze was steel, fists clenched as they tore through the rain-soaked asphalt. Taz's eyes were fixed on the road, focused. There was no trace of his usual sarcasm—only raw, sharp concentration. The storm outside battered against the windshield, but the only thing filling the cabin was their shared understanding: No one does that to Reagan and gets away with it.
Skylar sat on the cold, rain-soaked floor of the trailer, her hands shaking as she cradled Reagan's head in her lap. Blood slicked her fingers, warm and sticky, mixing with the rainwater that seeped in under the flimsy metal door. Reagan's breaths were shallow, ragged, each one sounding more strained than the last.
"Come on, Rae," Skylar whispered, brushing wet strands of hair away from Reagan's pale face. Her eyes were swollen shut, one cheekbone caved in, the skin around it blackened and bruised. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, leaving dark stains against her already battered skin. "Stay with me. They're coming."
Reagan's lips moved, but no sound came out. Skylar leaned closer, her heart pounding. "What is it?" Reagan's breath rattled in her throat, and she managed to choke out a whisper. "Hurts..." Her voice was barely there, cracked and broken.
Skylar swallowed back tears, forcing herself to stay strong. "I know... I know it hurts. But you need to hold on, okay? Taz and Rocco are coming. Just hold on a little longer."
Reagan's head lolled to the side, and Skylar's breath hitched. "No, no, no. Stay with me, Rae! Look at me!" She gently patted Reagan's cheek, her hands smearing more blood across the pale skin. "Look at me."
Reagan's good eye flickered open, unfocused and heavy-lidded. Skylar forced a smile. "There you are. Hey... hey, stay awake. Keep those eyes open. You hear me?"
A soft groan escaped Reagan's lips, and her body shuddered with the effort of breathing. Skylar gripped her tighter, feeling the uneven rhythm of her breaths. "Come on," she whispered desperately. "Don't you dare give up."
Outside, headlights cut through the rain, slicing through the darkness. Skylar's head snapped up, eyes wide with hope. "They're here," she breathed, pressing a shaking hand to Reagan's clammy forehead. "You hear that, Rae? They're here. You're gonna be okay."
Reagan didn't respond, her eyes slipping shut once more. Skylar's heart clenched with fear. "No... please, no." She shook her gently. "Stay with me!"
The trailer door burst open, rain and wind flooding in. Taz and Rocco stormed inside, their faces set with grim determination. Skylar looked up, eyes glassy with tears. "Help her," she whispered, voice cracking. "Please... just help her."
Taz didn't hesitate. He was already on his knees beside Reagan, ripping open the medical bag and snapping on a pair of gloves. "Move back, Skylar," he ordered, his voice steady and controlled. "I need space."
Skylar's eyes went wide as Reagan's body suddenly convulsed, her back arching off the floor with a violent jerk. Her limbs spasmed uncontrollably, and a guttural sound escaped her throat.
"Oh my God," Skylar gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "What's happening?!"
Taz's reaction was immediate. His hands pressed down on Reagan's shoulders, holding her steady without restricting her movement. His voice dropped to a commanding tone, sharp and clinical. "She's seizing. Skylar, I need you to get those pillows—now!"
Skylar stumbled back, fumbling through the clutter of the trailer until she found two pillows. She rushed back, her hands shaking. "What do I do?"
Taz kept his eyes on Reagan, watching the rapid twitching of her muscles. "Put them under her head, now. We need to stop her from hitting it." Skylar did as she was told, sliding the pillows beneath Reagan's head, her breathing ragged with panic. "Is she... is she dying?"
Taz's jaw clenched. "Not if I have anything to say about it." He pulled a syringe from his medical bag, flicking the cap off with precision. "Hold her still, but not too tight. Just keep her from rolling," he instructed, his voice like iron.
Rocco moved closer, his expression grim and unyielding as he held Reagan's shoulders in place, his grip firm but gentle. "Will this stop it?" he asked, his voice low.
Taz nodded, his hands steady as he injected the syringe into Reagan's arm. "It'll help. But we need to move fast." His eyes met Rocco's, determination flaring in his gaze. "We get her in the GMC and stabilize her. I can do more there than I can here."
Reagan's convulsions began to slow, her breathing still ragged but more even. Taz monitored her carefully, his hands never leaving her. "That's it... good girl, stay with me," he murmured under his breath.
Taz leaned over Reagan, his gloved hands brushing her neck, feeling for a pulse. "She's critical," he muttered, his voice low but firm. "I need to intubate her. Right now."
Taz worked with rapid precision, slipping the laryngoscope into her mouth, his hands steady and unyielding. The light flickered in her throat, and he slid the tube down expertly. "Okay... secured," he muttered, attaching the ambu bag and squeezing gently. Her chest rose, and a soft breath escaped her. "We got her stabilized... for now."
He was almost done checking her vitals when he noticed it—a thin trickle of blood leaking from Reagan's right ear. His breath caught, eyes narrowing as he tilted her head slightly. The crimson line ran down her neck, pooling on the floor beneath her.
"Shit," he whispered, his fingers moving to her temple, pressing gently before pulling back. "She's bleeding from her ears."
Skylar's eyes went wide. "What does that mean?" she asked, voice shaking.
Taz's jaw clenched. "It means there's pressure building up in her skull. A lot of it." Before he could explain further, Reagan's body suddenly convulsed, her back arching off the floor, muscles spasming violently. Her hands curled into fists, eyes rolling back as her body seized uncontrollably.
"We're losing her," Taz growled, already digging into his med kit. His hands moved with precision, laying out instruments with terrifying efficiency. "I need to relieve the pressure, or she's going to herniate." He snapped his gaze to Rocco. "Hold her steady."
Rocco moved without question, his hands locking down Reagan's shoulders as Taz pulled out a small hand drill and a sterilized bit. Skylar sucked in a breath, eyes wide with horror. "What are you doing?!"
"A burr hole," Taz replied, his voice calm and absolute. "If I don't, she dies."
Skylar's hand flew to her mouth, but she didn't move. She watched as Taz positioned the drill against Reagan's skull, his eyes sharp and unyielding. "Okay, Rae," he murmured, his voice softening just a fraction. "Stay with me. I'm right here."
Taz paused, his hand hovering over the drill as he turned back to his med kit. "I can't do this without sedation. Not if I want her to survive it." He rummaged through the supplies, pulling out a vial and a syringe, tapping it twice with his finger. "Propofol," he muttered, drawing the clear liquid into the syringe. Skylar's eyes went wide. "You're putting her under?"
"I have to," Taz replied, his tone absolute. "If she moves during this... it could kill her." He leaned down, finding the vein in Reagan's arm with practiced ease. The needle slid in, smooth and precise, and the syringe emptied with a soft hiss. "That should take hold in about thirty seconds."
He watched her carefully, noting the way her breathing evened out, the tension in her limbs relaxing slightly. "Alright," he murmured, glancing back up at Rocco. "Hold her steady."
Rocco's grip was ironclad, his hands firm but careful as he kept her head and shoulders in place. Taz positioned the drill once more, his eyes sharp and unyielding. "Okay, Rae," he murmured, his voice softening just a fraction. "Stay with me. I'm right here."
The drill's hum filled the trailer, a steady vibration that seemed to cut through the chaos. Taz's hands were precise, his grip steady as he pressed the bit against Reagan's skull. "Almost there," he muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on the point of contact. Rain pounded against the metal roof, matching the rhythm of his hands.
Skylar's hands were clutched together, her knuckles white as she watched with wide, unblinking eyes. "Oh my God..." she whispered, barely audible.
"Focus," Taz snapped, his voice sharp and unyielding. "I need you ready. The moment I relieve the pressure, I need you to monitor her breathing. Understand?"
Skylar nodded frantically, wiping her wet cheeks with the back of her hand. "Yeah... okay. I'm ready."
The drill bit broke through with a soft crunch, and a thin stream of blood began to spill. Taz's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed the suction from his med kit, clearing the wound site with quick, deliberate movements. "Good," he murmured. "Pressure's coming down."
Rocco's grip remained ironclad, holding Reagan steady as her body twitched slightly. "Is she gonna wake up?" he asked, voice low and controlled. Taz didn't look up. "Not yet. We keep her under until I'm sure the bleeding has stopped." He leaned in, adjusting the tube with delicate precision. "If we did this right, she'll stabilize. If not..." he didn't finish the sentence.
Skylar stepped forward, her voice trembling. "What now?"
Taz wiped his brow, glancing back at the rain-soaked windows. "Now we get her the hell out of here and into the GMC. I need proper equipment if she's going to survive this."
Skylar sat on the cold, rain-soaked floor of the trailer, her hands shaking as she cradled Reagan's head in her lap. Blood slicked her fingers, warm and sticky, mixing with the rainwater that seeped in under the flimsy metal door. Reagan's breaths were shallow, ragged, each one sounding more strained than the last.
"Come on, Rae," Skylar whispered, brushing wet strands of hair away from Reagan's pale face. Her eyes were swollen shut, one cheekbone caved in, the skin around it blackened and bruised. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, leaving dark stains against her already battered skin. "Stay with me. They're coming."
Reagan's lips moved, but no sound came out. Skylar leaned closer, her heart pounding. "What is it?"
Reagan's breath rattled in her throat, and she managed to choke out a whisper. "Hurts..." Her voice was barely there, cracked and broken.
Skylar swallowed back tears, forcing herself to stay strong. "I know... I know it hurts. But you need to hold on, okay? Taz and Rocco are coming. Just hold on a little longer."
Reagan's head lolled to the side, and Skylar's breath hitched. "No, no, no. Stay with me, Rae! Look at me!" She gently patted Reagan's cheek, her hands smearing more blood across the pale skin. "Look at me."
Reagan's good eye flickered open, unfocused and heavy-lidded. Skylar forced a smile. "There you are. Hey... hey, stay awake. Keep those eyes open. You hear me?"
A soft groan escaped Reagan's lips, and her body shuddered with the effort of breathing. Skylar gripped her tighter, feeling the uneven rhythm of her breaths. "Come on," she whispered desperately. "Don't you dare give up on me."
Outside, headlights cut through the rain, slicing through the darkness. Skylar's head snapped up, eyes wide with hope. "They're here," she breathed, pressing a shaking hand to Reagan's clammy forehead. "You hear that, Rae? They're here. You're gonna be okay."
Reagan didn't respond, her eyes slipping shut once more. Skylar's heart clenched with fear. "No... please, no." She shook her gently. "Stay with me!"
The trailer door burst open, rain and wind flooding in. Taz and Rocco stormed inside, their faces set with grim determination. Skylar looked up, eyes glassy with tears. "Help her," she whispered, voice cracking. "Please... just help her."
Taz didn't hesitate. He was already on his knees beside Reagan, ripping open the medical bag and snapping on a pair of gloves. "Move back, Skylar," he ordered, his voice steady and controlled. "I need space."
Skylar hesitated, hands still clutching Reagan's head, before Rocco gently pulled her back, his hands firm but careful. "Let him work," he murmured, his eyes never leaving Reagan's broken body.
Taz leaned over Reagan, his gloved hands brushing her neck, feeling for a pulse. "She's critical," he muttered, his voice low but firm. "I need to intubate her. Right now."
Taz worked with rapid precision, slipping the laryngoscope into her mouth, his hands steady and unyielding. The light flickered in her throat, and he slid the tube down expertly. "Okay... secured," he muttered, attaching the ambu bag and squeezing gently. Her chest rose, and a soft breath escaped her. "We got her stabilized... for now."
He was almost done checking her vitals when he noticed it—a thin trickle of blood leaking from Reagan's right ear. His breath caught, eyes narrowing as he tilted her head slightly. The crimson line ran down her neck, pooling on the floor beneath her.
"Shit," he whispered, his fingers moving to her temple, pressing gently before pulling back. "She's bleeding from her ears."
Skylar's eyes went wide. "What does that mean?" she asked, voice shaking.
Taz's jaw clenched. "It means there's pressure building up in her skull. A lot of it." Before he could explain further, Reagan's body suddenly convulsed, her back arching off the floor, muscles spasming violently. Her hands curled into fists, eyes rolling back as her body seized uncontrollably.
"We're losing her," Taz growled, already digging into his med kit. His hands moved with precision, laying out instruments with terrifying efficiency. "I need to relieve the pressure, or she's going to herniate." He snapped his gaze to Rocco. "Hold her steady."
Rocco moved without question, his hands locking down Reagan's shoulders as Taz pulled out a small hand drill and a sterilized bit. Skylar sucked in a breath, eyes wide with horror. "What are you doing?!"
"A burr hole," Taz replied, his voice calm and absolute. "If I don't, she dies."
Skylar's hand flew to her mouth, but she didn't move. She watched as Taz positioned the drill against Reagan's skull, his eyes sharp and unyielding. "Okay, Rae," he murmured, his voice softening just a fraction. "Stay with me. I'm right here."
Taz paused, his hand hovering over the drill as he turned back to his med kit. "I can't do this without sedation. Not if I want her to survive it." He rummaged through the supplies, pulling out a vial and a syringe, tapping it twice with his finger. "Propofol," he muttered, drawing the clear liquid into the syringe.
Skylar's eyes went wide. "You're putting her under?"
"I have to," Taz replied, his tone absolute. "If she moves during this... it could kill her." He leaned down, finding the vein in Reagan's arm with practiced ease. The needle slid in, smooth and precise, and the syringe emptied with a soft hiss. "That should take hold in about thirty seconds."
He watched her carefully, noting the way her breathing evened out, the tension in her limbs relaxing slightly. "Alright," he murmured, glancing back up at Rocco. "Hold her steady."
Rocco's grip was ironclad, his hands firm but careful as he kept her head and shoulders in place. Taz positioned the drill once more, his eyes sharp and unyielding. "Okay, Rae," he murmured, his voice softening just a fraction. "Stay with me. I'm right here."
The drill's hum filled the trailer, a steady vibration that seemed to cut through the chaos. Taz's hands were precise, his grip steady as he pressed the bit against Reagan's skull. "Almost there," he muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on the point of contact. Rain pounded against the metal roof, matching the rhythm of his hands.
Skylar's hands were clutched together, her knuckles white as she watched with wide, unblinking eyes. "Oh my God..." she whispered, barely audible.
"Focus," Taz snapped, his voice sharp and unyielding. "I need you ready. The moment I relieve the pressure, I need you to monitor her breathing. Understand?"
Skylar nodded frantically, wiping her wet cheeks with the back of her hand. "Yeah... okay. I'm ready."
The drill bit broke through with a soft crunch, and a thin stream of blood began to spill. Taz's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed the suction from his med kit, clearing the wound site with quick, deliberate movements. "Good," he murmured. "Pressure's coming down."
Rocco's grip remained ironclad, holding Reagan steady as her body twitched slightly. "Is she gonna wake up?" he asked, voice low and controlled.
Taz didn't look up. "Not yet. We keep her under until I'm sure the bleeding has stopped." He leaned in, adjusting the tube with delicate precision. "If we did this right, she'll stabilize. If not..." he didn't finish the sentence.
Skylar stepped forward, her voice trembling. "What now?"
Taz wiped his brow, glancing back at the rain-soaked windows. "Now we get her the hell out of here and onto a gurney. I need proper equipment if she's going to survive this.""
Rocco moved swiftly, pulling the gurney from the back of Taz's GMC, unfolding it with a practiced snap. The rain battered against the metal roof of the trailer as they carefully lifted Reagan, Taz barking orders with sharp precision. "Keep her head steady. Watch her ribs. I don't want any more damage than she's already got."
Skylar hovered nervously, her hands clenched together, eyes never leaving Reagan's battered face. "Is she—" her voice cracked. "Is she stable?"
"For now," Taz replied curtly, adjusting the IV line with steady hands. "But she needs fluids. Now." He pulled out an IV bag from his med kit, his hands moving swiftly to insert the line into her arm. The fluid began dripping steadily, feeding into her veins with a soft, rhythmic pulse.
They loaded her onto the gurney, metal clanking against metal as it locked into place. Rocco took one end, Taz the other, and together they pushed her out into the rain, the wheels splashing through puddles as they maneuvered her to the back of the GMC.
Skylar scrambled in first, pulling back blankets and clearing space. "Here, here!" she shouted over the roar of the storm. Taz climbed in after her, pulling the gurney inside and locking it down with a hard click. "Get in and shut the doors," he snapped, already pulling out another med kit from the back storage.
Skylar climbed in, slamming the doors shut behind her, the noise of the rain muffled instantly. Inside, it smelled like antiseptic and adrenaline—sharp, metallic, and sterile. Taz was already moving, setting up monitors, strapping Reagan down, checking her vitals.
"Her blood pressure is low," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. He grabbed a vial from the shelf, filling a syringe with quick, practiced movements. Before Skylar could even ask, he injected it into Reagan's IV line. "That'll stabilize her for now," he said flatly. "But if she crashes, I'm gonna need you to be ready."
Skylar's eyes went wide. "Me? What the hell am I supposed to do?"
Taz didn't look up. "Follow my instructions and don't ask questions." He set up another IV line, this time hooking her up to a saline drip. "We need to keep her hydrated, and I'm gonna give her a small dose of ketamine to prevent shock."
Skylar blanched, her hands flying to her mouth. "Ketamine?! Isn't that... I mean... won't that..."
"It'll stabilize her," Taz cut in, voice sharp. "It's not just a party drug. It's a dissociative anesthetic. It'll keep her calm and prevent further trauma. Trust me." Skylar hesitated, her gaze flickering between Reagan's lifeless face and Taz's unyielding expression. Finally, she nodded, her breath shaky. "Okay... okay."
Taz wasted no time, injecting the ketamine in smooth, practiced movements. Almost immediately, Reagan's breathing evened out, her muscles relaxing under the sedative. Taz let out a slow breath. "Good," he murmured. "That'll hold her."
He glanced at Skylar, his eyes sharp. "You good?"
Skylar swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah... I'm good."
"Good," Taz repeated, his voice grim. "Because the hard part is just beginning."