Fic: Crystal Rain Book I: Whatever Happened To Melvin Purvis? (16/19)
Title: Crystal Rain Book I: Whatever Happened To Melvin Purvis? (16/19)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Teddy/Chuck, Rachel Solando, Trey Washington, Mike McPherson, Steven Cawley, Mel/Johnny, Ellie Marino
Series Notes: My notes grew too voluminous for the header, so you can find them in a separate entry here.
Fandoms: Public Enemies/Shutter Island
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Mystery
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: For Shutter Island, some scenes were tailored by me to fit this story. Nothing in this story references the major plot twist of the book or movie. I used the same settings and characters, but in a very AU way. For Public Enemies, nothing except for the ultimate fate of John Dillinger, and that’s historical fact, anyway.
General Summary: U.S. Marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule are sent to Shutter Island on a unique assignment, and while there, discover shocking answers to a decades-old mystery.
Chapter Summary: Teddy and Chuck’s assignment is successful…in more ways than one.
Date Of Completion: April 18, 2010
Date Of Posting: August 2, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Dennis Lehane, Paramount and Universal do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1201
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: This is a story that started running through my head as soon as I left the theater after my first viewing. Like the patients on Shutter Island, I can’t escape! ;)
The entire series can be found here.
XVI
STARS DUSTING
It’s been
A long time
Coming,
This relief
I feel.
Stars dusting
Twilight’s purple
As calmness
Spreads across
The sea.
Finally,
Together
Again.
Jeanette Star
"Stars Dusting"
1953 C.E.
When Chuck awoke, he was warm and safe and realized that Teddy was close to him, nearly touching his back.
He liked the feeling.
Chuck edged back, bumping lightly into his companion. Teddy didn’t stir, and Chuck let himself enjoy the moment.
Footsteps sounded out in the hall, doctors hurrying to breakfast. He snuggled deeper under the covers.
“You awake, Boss?”
“Yeah. ‘Mornin’.”
“Top o’ the day.”
Teddy chuckled. “Man, it was cold last night. Is that radiator working?”
“It’s not making noise.”
“Great.” Teddy sighed and sat up, twisting around and putting his foot on the wooden floor, yanking it back. “Man, that’s cold!”
“Stay under the blankets until we absolutely have to get up,” Chuck suggested, pulling the covers up. He smiled as Teddy eagerly took his suggestion and slid back under the blankets. Body heat was welcome, Teddy resting his head on the pillow.
“You know, even if we don’t get anything from Rachel, I hope she doesn’t last long. She’s got no hope of recovery, and the pain’s real bad.”
Not for the first time, Chuck marveled at his friend’s compassion. A man who had seen so much cruelty still retained caring for a lost soul like Rachel Solando.
Chuck was well aware of their intimate position, facing one another in bed. They’d shared beds before while on the road, working on cases, but this felt different. Teddy’s eyes were very blue as he looked into Chuck’s brown ones, a small smile quirking his lips.
“Just you and me, huh?” Teddy asked lightly.
“Surrounded by darkness and damaged people, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“When all around you are crazy…just me and thee, huh?”
Teddy laughed. “That’s right.”
Maybe it was Shutter Island, but Chuck felt a primal urge and impulsively leaned forward and kissed Teddy. He could feel surprise from his partner as his heart pounded, but was gratified when Teddy kissed back. When they broke apart, both stared wide-eyed at each other.
“Wow,” Teddy said.
“Yeah.” Chuck smiled. His heart was pounding and joy surged through his veins. He was sure that Teddy felt the same way from the expression on his face.
Teddy reached out and touched his partner’s bare shoulder. “We’ll have to continue this later.”
Chuck nodded. They had much to do today.
& & & & & &
“They…they were after us,” Rachel sobbed.
“I know,” Chuck soothed, allowing Rachel to grasp his hand. Her hand…the bones were so delicate, the skin so cold. Poor woman.
“Jim…he had to shoot…he said…we had to get rid of the bodies, otherwise their comrades…would come after us.”
Teddy was seated next to the bed, his notebook open. He watched Rachel closely. Light filtered in through the barred window. It was a pearl-gray light. There had been a brief morning of brilliant sunshine after the hurricane had left, but now it was cloudy again. Shutter Island seemed to live under a perpetual cloud.
Rachel was fixated on Chuck. He asked her softly, “Where did Jim bury the bodies, Rachel?”
Her pain-filled eyes looked deeply into Chuck’s calm ones.
“In the woods by the old oak. A…a three-minute walk…from the hide-out.”
Teddy quickly wrote in his notebook while Chuck said, “Thank you, Rachel.”
For a moment, her eyes were lucid, and she said, “Thank you, Marshal,” closing her eyes as she breathed softly. Chuck gently laid a hand on her forehead.
“Is she…?”
Chuck’s fingers slid down to her neck and the carotid artery. “Yes.”
Teddy closed his notebook.
& & & & & &
The two Marshals walked down the corridor of the main building. They’d notified the medical staff, and were trying to process what had happened.
Neither man regretted being at Rachel Solando’s deathbed. She had given them the information they needed, and they had been with her when she’d died. Chuck hoped that they had been able to give her comfort in her last moments. It just was never easy to watch someone die.
They reached the head of the main staircase and the front door opened, and Trey, McPherson, and Cawley entered the foyer, Trey helping Johnny inside.
“We’ll get that leg properly treated in the infirmary,” Cawley said.
“I appreciate that, Doc.” Johnny’s limp was bad, and he looked tired but he was smiling.
The trip up the stairs was long and torturous, Johnny gritting his teeth. Teddy and Chuck waited, staying at the top of the stairs because Johnny had plenty of help.
Down the corridor, Ellie was escorting Mel to his therapy session. Teddy and Chuck exchanged a grin. By the time they reached the Marshals, Johnny was making the last step and Mel saw him. His face lighting up, he cried, “Johnny!” and ran, flinging his arms around his lover.
Johnny didn’t even wince as he held Mel tight. “It’s okay, darlin’. I toldja I’d be back.”
McPherson looked impatient, but Trey and Cawley were smiling.
“Come now, Jack, we must get you to the infirmary,” Cawley said.
Mel pushed back from Johnny, searching his lover’s face. “What’s wrong, Johnny?” He looked his lover up and down, clutching his arms.
“Just that cut on my thigh. I’m getting it treated, and I’ll be right as rain, Sunshine.”
Mel looked at Cawley. “Please, Dr. Cawley, may I go with Johnny to the infirmary?”
Cawley thought about it for a moment, nodding. “It’s all right, McPherson.”
“But, sir…”
Cawley moved closer to McPherson as Ellie and Trey escorted Johnny and Mel down the hall.
“They won’t try anything. Mel is far too concerned about Jack’s leg, and besides, they just got back together after several weeks apart. They’ll be too focused on each other to try anything.”
The policeman sighed. “You’re the boss.”
Cawley smiled and nodded. “Quite so.”
“I guess you know queers’ behavior, Doc.” McPherson tipped his cap as he went down the staircase.
“You’re pretty smart, Doc,” said Teddy.
“Well, you get to know your patients.”
In the infirmary, Mel watched anxiously as Ellie tended to Johnny’s wound.
“I’ll have to review protocol on Ward C. That wound should have been taken care of right away.” Cawley examined the angry-looking cut. “We’ll keep you here for at least a few days to watch that.” He placed a hand on Johnny’s brow. “A slight fever. Nurse, I need a reading.”
Ellie put the thermometer in Johnny’s mouth. After the required time, she removed it and read, “99.6, Doctor.”
“Yes, slightly elevated.”
“I’ve got a pretty good immune system, Doc,” Johnny smirked.
“Dr. Cawley, I’d like to help out on the ward.” Mel’s dark eyes were pleading. “I’ve done it before.”
“Very well. Nurse Marino, is Nurse Keller around?”
“She’ll be back soon, Doctor.”
“Let her know that she has a new temporary orderly, will you?”
“Yes, sir.” Ellie smiled at Mel, who blushed.
“The afternoon ferry has departed, gentlemen. Allow me to host a farewell dinner for you tonight.”
“That’d be swell, Doc,” said Teddy.
Chuck winked at Mel and Johnny as he and Teddy left the infirmary.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Teddy/Chuck, Rachel Solando, Trey Washington, Mike McPherson, Steven Cawley, Mel/Johnny, Ellie Marino
Series Notes: My notes grew too voluminous for the header, so you can find them in a separate entry here.
Fandoms: Public Enemies/Shutter Island
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Mystery
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: For Shutter Island, some scenes were tailored by me to fit this story. Nothing in this story references the major plot twist of the book or movie. I used the same settings and characters, but in a very AU way. For Public Enemies, nothing except for the ultimate fate of John Dillinger, and that’s historical fact, anyway.
General Summary: U.S. Marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule are sent to Shutter Island on a unique assignment, and while there, discover shocking answers to a decades-old mystery.
Chapter Summary: Teddy and Chuck’s assignment is successful…in more ways than one.
Date Of Completion: April 18, 2010
Date Of Posting: August 2, 2010
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Dennis Lehane, Paramount and Universal do, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1201
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: This is a story that started running through my head as soon as I left the theater after my first viewing. Like the patients on Shutter Island, I can’t escape! ;)
The entire series can be found here.
XVI
STARS DUSTING
It’s been
A long time
Coming,
This relief
I feel.
Stars dusting
Twilight’s purple
As calmness
Spreads across
The sea.
Finally,
Together
Again.
Jeanette Star
"Stars Dusting"
1953 C.E.
When Chuck awoke, he was warm and safe and realized that Teddy was close to him, nearly touching his back.
He liked the feeling.
Chuck edged back, bumping lightly into his companion. Teddy didn’t stir, and Chuck let himself enjoy the moment.
Footsteps sounded out in the hall, doctors hurrying to breakfast. He snuggled deeper under the covers.
“You awake, Boss?”
“Yeah. ‘Mornin’.”
“Top o’ the day.”
Teddy chuckled. “Man, it was cold last night. Is that radiator working?”
“It’s not making noise.”
“Great.” Teddy sighed and sat up, twisting around and putting his foot on the wooden floor, yanking it back. “Man, that’s cold!”
“Stay under the blankets until we absolutely have to get up,” Chuck suggested, pulling the covers up. He smiled as Teddy eagerly took his suggestion and slid back under the blankets. Body heat was welcome, Teddy resting his head on the pillow.
“You know, even if we don’t get anything from Rachel, I hope she doesn’t last long. She’s got no hope of recovery, and the pain’s real bad.”
Not for the first time, Chuck marveled at his friend’s compassion. A man who had seen so much cruelty still retained caring for a lost soul like Rachel Solando.
Chuck was well aware of their intimate position, facing one another in bed. They’d shared beds before while on the road, working on cases, but this felt different. Teddy’s eyes were very blue as he looked into Chuck’s brown ones, a small smile quirking his lips.
“Just you and me, huh?” Teddy asked lightly.
“Surrounded by darkness and damaged people, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“When all around you are crazy…just me and thee, huh?”
Teddy laughed. “That’s right.”
Maybe it was Shutter Island, but Chuck felt a primal urge and impulsively leaned forward and kissed Teddy. He could feel surprise from his partner as his heart pounded, but was gratified when Teddy kissed back. When they broke apart, both stared wide-eyed at each other.
“Wow,” Teddy said.
“Yeah.” Chuck smiled. His heart was pounding and joy surged through his veins. He was sure that Teddy felt the same way from the expression on his face.
Teddy reached out and touched his partner’s bare shoulder. “We’ll have to continue this later.”
Chuck nodded. They had much to do today.
& & & & & &
“They…they were after us,” Rachel sobbed.
“I know,” Chuck soothed, allowing Rachel to grasp his hand. Her hand…the bones were so delicate, the skin so cold. Poor woman.
“Jim…he had to shoot…he said…we had to get rid of the bodies, otherwise their comrades…would come after us.”
Teddy was seated next to the bed, his notebook open. He watched Rachel closely. Light filtered in through the barred window. It was a pearl-gray light. There had been a brief morning of brilliant sunshine after the hurricane had left, but now it was cloudy again. Shutter Island seemed to live under a perpetual cloud.
Rachel was fixated on Chuck. He asked her softly, “Where did Jim bury the bodies, Rachel?”
Her pain-filled eyes looked deeply into Chuck’s calm ones.
“In the woods by the old oak. A…a three-minute walk…from the hide-out.”
Teddy quickly wrote in his notebook while Chuck said, “Thank you, Rachel.”
For a moment, her eyes were lucid, and she said, “Thank you, Marshal,” closing her eyes as she breathed softly. Chuck gently laid a hand on her forehead.
“Is she…?”
Chuck’s fingers slid down to her neck and the carotid artery. “Yes.”
Teddy closed his notebook.
& & & & & &
The two Marshals walked down the corridor of the main building. They’d notified the medical staff, and were trying to process what had happened.
Neither man regretted being at Rachel Solando’s deathbed. She had given them the information they needed, and they had been with her when she’d died. Chuck hoped that they had been able to give her comfort in her last moments. It just was never easy to watch someone die.
They reached the head of the main staircase and the front door opened, and Trey, McPherson, and Cawley entered the foyer, Trey helping Johnny inside.
“We’ll get that leg properly treated in the infirmary,” Cawley said.
“I appreciate that, Doc.” Johnny’s limp was bad, and he looked tired but he was smiling.
The trip up the stairs was long and torturous, Johnny gritting his teeth. Teddy and Chuck waited, staying at the top of the stairs because Johnny had plenty of help.
Down the corridor, Ellie was escorting Mel to his therapy session. Teddy and Chuck exchanged a grin. By the time they reached the Marshals, Johnny was making the last step and Mel saw him. His face lighting up, he cried, “Johnny!” and ran, flinging his arms around his lover.
Johnny didn’t even wince as he held Mel tight. “It’s okay, darlin’. I toldja I’d be back.”
McPherson looked impatient, but Trey and Cawley were smiling.
“Come now, Jack, we must get you to the infirmary,” Cawley said.
Mel pushed back from Johnny, searching his lover’s face. “What’s wrong, Johnny?” He looked his lover up and down, clutching his arms.
“Just that cut on my thigh. I’m getting it treated, and I’ll be right as rain, Sunshine.”
Mel looked at Cawley. “Please, Dr. Cawley, may I go with Johnny to the infirmary?”
Cawley thought about it for a moment, nodding. “It’s all right, McPherson.”
“But, sir…”
Cawley moved closer to McPherson as Ellie and Trey escorted Johnny and Mel down the hall.
“They won’t try anything. Mel is far too concerned about Jack’s leg, and besides, they just got back together after several weeks apart. They’ll be too focused on each other to try anything.”
The policeman sighed. “You’re the boss.”
Cawley smiled and nodded. “Quite so.”
“I guess you know queers’ behavior, Doc.” McPherson tipped his cap as he went down the staircase.
“You’re pretty smart, Doc,” said Teddy.
“Well, you get to know your patients.”
In the infirmary, Mel watched anxiously as Ellie tended to Johnny’s wound.
“I’ll have to review protocol on Ward C. That wound should have been taken care of right away.” Cawley examined the angry-looking cut. “We’ll keep you here for at least a few days to watch that.” He placed a hand on Johnny’s brow. “A slight fever. Nurse, I need a reading.”
Ellie put the thermometer in Johnny’s mouth. After the required time, she removed it and read, “99.6, Doctor.”
“Yes, slightly elevated.”
“I’ve got a pretty good immune system, Doc,” Johnny smirked.
“Dr. Cawley, I’d like to help out on the ward.” Mel’s dark eyes were pleading. “I’ve done it before.”
“Very well. Nurse Marino, is Nurse Keller around?”
“She’ll be back soon, Doctor.”
“Let her know that she has a new temporary orderly, will you?”
“Yes, sir.” Ellie smiled at Mel, who blushed.
“The afternoon ferry has departed, gentlemen. Allow me to host a farewell dinner for you tonight.”
“That’d be swell, Doc,” said Teddy.
Chuck winked at Mel and Johnny as he and Teddy left the infirmary.