Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #105 is a reply to message #103] |
Sun, 22 July 2012 17:35   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Sunday, August 5, 2006, 2:30 a.m., Los Angeles (9:30 p.m., same day, Tracy Island)
Jeff sat quietly at Dianne's bedside, just watching her sleep. He'd been there for over two hours now. The dim light glinted dully off the oxygen cannula, and the muted beeping of the machines that monitored her bodily functions had disappeared into the background noise bred of familiarity. He held her hand, the one without an IV, and realized that her wedding ring was missing. I wonder if it's with her personal effects or if she stored it somewhere in Seven. I'll have to ask Scott about the one, and Dom or Nikki about the other.
He refrained from scratching at the thick, silvered beard that covered the lower half of his face. The idea had been Lisa's, with a little input from his own mother.
"You're not going into that hospital as the IR commander showing off those signature dimples," Lisa had declared as they'd flown to Los Angeles. "Em told me about some disguises you and the boys had used at one time or another and she gave me the box with your beard. You're to put it on en route from the airport. I'd help you do it here, but then what good would it do?"
Jeff had found it as impossible to argue with his mother-in-law as it was to argue with his own mother, and he added the box with the beard and its accessories to his attaché case. They had come up with a plan to get everyone where they were supposed to go. Maggie would be waiting at the airport when they landed, and would take Lisa, Kyrano, and the children off to her house for rest.
Jeff, however, had contacted their West Coast version of Bernie the cabbie. Hernando Garcia - owner of Garcia's Transportation and IR Agent - had promised to be at the airport with one of his limousines. The plan was for Jeff to get in there, and the IR Commander to come out when they reached the hospital. Changing in the back of the car wasn't easy, but the spaciousness of the vehicle made it bearable. By the time he'd reached Mercy Hospital, he was in his uniform, complete with jacket, cap, visor... and beard.
Scott was waiting near the back entrance, and Carol Ferris, who was standing at the new security point, glanced back at him. Hiding a smile, Scott had nodded, and the security officers had let Jeff through.
"Sorry about the checkpoint, sir," she said as she walked him to Scott. "But it's almost as if all of Los Angeles has come out. We've had to set up barricades around the campus, and are screening people coming to the emergency room in anything other than an ambulance with a confirmed ETA."
Jeff thought this over for a moment, then asked, "What's the problem?"
Carol snorted a laugh. "You are, sir... or at least, your organization. This is the first time that one of your members has been in such a public accident or in a hospital quite like this -- at least, according to Maverick. There are all kinds out there: protesters, celebrities, rubber-neckers... but they're outnumbered by the well-wishers. People are lighting candles, praying, creating cards, leaving flowers... and the police department expects it to get worse."
Jeff groaned inwardly. I bet Dianne didn't think about this when she made the decision to pull Andy into the loop.
They met Drew on the secure floor, and Carol introduced them. Jeff shook his old friend's hand as if they were strangers, and Drew took Jeff and Scott on a brief tour of the operatives' rooms, reciting the symptoms of each as they stopped by. Nikki was awake and managed a sleepy smile, but when Drew asked her about pain, she admitted, "I think we're headed up to eight now."
"Ah," Drew responded. "I'll have Engracia bring you a pain reliever." He used his stylus on the data pad he carried.
"Get some rest," Jeff told her. She turned a sudden laugh into a cough when she realized who was behind the facial hair.
"Yes, sir."
Dom was sleeping, the sheets tangled around his legs, the hospital gown pulled up almost too far. Scott stepped forward and straightened the blanket out, pulling it up to Dom's waist. "They both should be ready for discharge tomorrow afternoon."
"The doctor's in here," Drew said, opening the door quietly. Jeff's heart had ached when he saw his wife, and barely listened to Drew's recitation of her injuries. Scott, knowing his father better than anyone, pulled a chair up next to the bed. Jeff had removed his hat and visor, slid out of his jacket, and sat down.
"I'm heading home," Drew said. "I have... family coming in from out of town."
Jeff gave him a distracted smile, then turned back to Dianne.
"They've got a room and a bed ready for me, but if you need me, just call," Scott said.
As the two men turned to leave, Jeff swiveled on the chair. "Andy? Scott?"
They paused, and Jeff nodded. "Thank you."
Drew gave a slight smile, and Scott nodded at his father. Then they had left Jeff alone with Dianne.
He sighed, and got up to stretch. Walking over to the window, he looked out through the slats of the blinds. Daylight was still hours away, and the bright halogen lights over the parking lot glinted off the skin of Thunderbird One in its secure spot. "God, how'd it all come to this?" He swallowed, closing his eyes against their sudden moisture and the combination of grief and relief that threatened to overwhelm him.
Post by Tikatu on 10/18/2006
  
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