I had just finished making a very large coke transaction and was on my way to drop the cash when I turned the corner.  That moment will stick with me until the day I meet death and spit in his eye.  I remember it vividly.  The street was empty, completely empty, not a single car parked on either side.  The only light being shed was that of the city posts that were in dire need of replacement.  There was a slight breeze, the kind that reminds you of your most comfortable moments in life.  I remember pausing for a moment and taking in a breath when the shots rang out.  The sound of the guns made things pause for just a moment as I snapped back to reality to figure out what was happening.  All I felt was a heavy pressure in my chest and then darkness.

The next thing I remember is waking up here, in a hospital.  By the looks of my shared room I can easily ascertain that I wasn't brought here by my family.  What the hell happened?  I struggle to try and remember but my mind tells me the same memory every time.  As I press the button and move the bed to an upright position a nurse walks in.  She tells me I need to lay back and stay still, explaining I am in a hospital and had to have 7 bullets removed from my body, 2 in my chest.  She tells me I'm lucky to be alive.  Little does she know... once I get out of here whoever did this will be lucky to die fast, I intend to make it a long and painful death.  Maybe even do it by hand.  The nurse inserts a needle into my I.V. and I feel good, real good. So good I could..... *sleep*

I'm not sure what is going on now.  I think I'm awake, but everything is blurry and sounds funny.  I can hear voices, but damned if I could tell if it's the nurses or Louis Prima here to sing me a song.  A figure comes next to me and I struggle to make out who it is, but all I see is a large blur.  I hear a man say "Just Do It!" and it sends a chill down my spine.  As I try to get up I feel that good feeling again, and... *sleep*

I'm awoke with a hard slap on my face and I can make out Quirinus' voice saying "Wake the fuck up and..." the rest I couldn't make out.  My head is so fuzzy.  As my vision comes into focus I can see Quirinus and Jewish Jake standing by my bed.  I also notice I'm not in that same hospital I was in before, this seemed more like... ah I see... I'm back at HQ in the Docs room.  For the first time since this started I actually feel relaxed.  So relaxed I.... *sleep*

'Here we go again', I think to myself as I come to again.  This time though I have no side effects, my vision and my hearing is just fine.  I notice Verona sitting in the corner reading a magazine, she looks up noticing I'm awake and greets me with a "Good mornin' sunshine."

"What happened?" I asked
"Was kinda hoping you could tell me, Mike." she replies with an odd look on her face.

I go over what little I remember, and ask if my money case was with me.  

"No case Mike.  In fact, nothing was on you.  No gun, no wallet... nothing but bloody clothes and that ugly mug of yours," Verona says with a smile, "Not even your cigars."  

Alright, now that pisses me off.  Money is easy.  Guns a cinch.  But my cigars?  These are some downright dirty bastards here.

"How long have I been laid up?" I ask, just now realizing that it had to be a week or so.  Verona sits down at the base of the bed, puts her hand on my shin and says "The situation happened a little over a month ago Mike, and to be straight with you it's a surprise you're alive."

Doc walked in and explained to me I'd have to stay with him for a few more weeks, then as long as I took it easy I could get back on the beat.  I object and Verona slaps my leg and says "You're gonna stay until he says it's okay to go, period." and that was that.

I've waited 3 weeks now, and done everything needed to get Docs okay to get back out there.  Quirinus was thoughtful enough to drop me off a nice new tailored suit, a couple sizes larger to make room for my bandages.  I put on the suit, and walk from HQ for the first time in 2 months.  I got a score to settle.  Whoever you are, you better watch your ass.  You're gonna find death to be a gift from God himself if I get my hands on you.