Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #180 is a reply to message #179] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 09:00   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Mercy General Hospital, Los Angeles, Tuesday Aug 7th.
The nurse entered the room quietly and smiled at Jeff. Dianne was starting to wake up slowly. "Just here to check your vitals and make sure that everything is set for your transfer."
"Thank you," Dianne groggily replied.
The nurse set about her work and adjusted the oxygen cannula then made sure Dianne's cervical collar was comfortable enough. "The IV fluid is almost gone, so we'll be removing it shortly. We'll send another with you, just in case you need it." Dianne smiled her thanks and the nurse returned one of her own before turning to Jeff. "Carol Ferris will be in charge of the transfer and has made the arrangements. She'll be here soon to finalize everything."
"Thank you. You've all done a great job, and we truly appreciate it."
Not sure what to say, the nurse smiled again and left the room. Jeff walked over to Dianne, taking her hand and gently massaging it. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked softly. Dianne nodded. "I promise you it'll get easier once we have you back here."
"I know, love, I know. I just miss the kids." She sighed deeply. Talking was still exhausting and she was worried about the kids, especially after the Ned Cook show.
"The kids are holding up well. They're being well cared for," Jeff said, trying to reassure his wife. Moments later, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Jeff asked, releasing Dianne's hand.
"Carol Ferris."
"Come in."
The security chief poked her head in, then -- at Jeff's nod - walked to Dianne's bedside. "We're all set for the transfer. We'll have you leave the same way that you arrived. You'll be transported on a gurney, along with three nurses to the helipad. I've been assured that the International Rescue aircraft will be waiting, and we'll get you safely on board as quickly as possible. Do either of you have any questions?"
Dianne shook her head 'no' and Jeff also answered no.
"Right then, I'll double check everything and we should have you out of here right on schedule." She smiled and left.
Jeff leaned over to Dianne, gently stroking her cheek. "Indy and Cousteau have been itching to see you. I hope they can contain themselves when they bring Two here."
Dianne smiled and tried not to laugh, knowing full well how Alan and Gordon could be when left alone to their own devices for too long. "Frankie will keep them under control," Dianne whispered.
"Lord, I hope so," Jeff scoffed, trying not to smile.
xxxx
"Frankie, this is Agent 97," Alan said as he introduced her to Hernando Garcia, the IR agent/cabby.
"Buenos dias," Elise said graciously.
"No need for the Spanish, ma'am," Hernando replied with a chuckle and a deep Texas accent. "I was born and bred here in the US of A." He glanced at Alan, then back at Elise. "You ready, ma'am?"
"F-A-B," she replied.
He opened the cab door for Elise and then closed it once she was inside. The drive to the airport wasn't long and he was allowed to pull the cab up next to the helijet. Opening the door for her, he bid her farewell, and Elise thanked him. "I'll see you later, Hernando."
He nodded and returned to his cab.
Looking up at the helijet, Elise took a deep breath. This would be the first time she'd flown a helijet since the crash. She knew she could do it, but her emotions were still raw and she had to tell herself several times to get it together. She boarded the jet and familiarized herself once again with the cockpit and controls. She placed the headphones on and started up the jet, noticing that her palms were sweaty.
Rubbing them on her pants, and closing her eyes, she tried to calm and reassure herself. C'mon, Collins, this is a piece of cake. You used to fly these things daily for a living!
Once she started talking to the control tower, she found herself calming; the professional pilot in her had taken over.
Meanwhile, Gordon had lifted up Two the moment Elise was in the clear and turned in the direction of Mercy General.
Alan called Jeff. "ETA, fifteen minutes, Boss," he said.
"F-A-B," Jeff replied. "We'll be waiting."
"Give Doc our love, and we'll see you soon."
Jeff smiled and shook his head, and Dianne smiled with tears in her eyes. "Make sure you land gently, or Van Gogh will have your hide." Jeff warned.
"If Frankie doesn't get it first," Gordon groused in the background.
Carol arrived with the three nurses and they prepared Dianne for transport, helping her into a set of the hospital's scrubs. Drew Carmichael was also with them, checking Dianne over from a medical point of view.
"You're as good as you can be under the circumstances," he said, a tight smile on his face. "Follow my instructions when you get to your destination."
Dianne squeezed his hands in thanks. "Yes, Doctor."
"I hope you don't need medical assistance of this nature again, but if you do... we're here for you."
"We'll remember that," Jeff told him.
Carol came in. "They're on approach."
"We're ready," Jeff told her.
"Okay, then, here we go," Carol said as the nurses and security people closed in and they left the room. As the elevator stopped, Jeff heard the mighty roar of Thunderbird Two as she put down in a cleared area of the parking lot. It seemed like only moments before Dianne was safely aboard and secured in the sickbay for the flight.
"Nice beard, Dad," Gordon quipped, before gently adding, "Hey, Mom, we've missed you," and giving her a small kiss on the cheek.
"Can't wait for you to get back to the island, Mom." Alan added, also kissing her cheek.
"Okay, boys, I know you missed her, but let's get going. This is strenuous enough for your mom without having you two to worry about!"
"F-A-B, Dad!" Gordon answered cheekily.
Jeff rolled his eyes as his two sons headed for the cockpit, leaving him with the task of helping his wife change over to "Dianne Tracy" clothing.
*******
"Tracy helijet from Thunderbird Two, we are returning to rendevous point." Alan's stern voice made Elise jump. She'd been waiting patiently and daydreaming a little to stay calm when Alan called.
"F-A-B, on my way." She lifted the helijet up with ease and flew towards the clearing area. So far, so good, she thought as she left the city behind and approached the landing area.
Thunderbird Two was already there as she set down the helijet. Jeff and the boys were assisting Dianne, who had been placed on an anti-gravity stretcher.
Jeff smiled when he saw Elise. "Everything okay?"
It was a simple question but she knew he was asking about her own state of mind as well as the flight.
"Yes, sir. No problems, considering."
Jeff smiled again and nodded, fully understanding her reply.
She turned and looked at Dianne and smiled. "Good to see you Doc. You've been missed."
The patient nodded as if to say, "I know."
"Well, let's get Mrs. Tracy aboard and to the hospital." The four of them made short work of getting Dianne onto the helijet and secured once again. Jeff had changed from his uniform and disguise back to civilian clothes while he was on Thunderbird Two.
"Don't you two dare get into mischief while I'm gone," Elise warned Gordon and Alan, both of whom merely put on innocent,"What? Us?" looks. Jeff winked at his sons and the helijet took off once more.
Although tired, Dianne had felt better than she had in days. She'd seen two of her sons, and Elise, and knew her family was taken care of.
Landing back on the helipad once again, a team of emergency room nurses -- and Dr. Carmichael - were there to meet her. He and Jeff shook hands and transported "Mrs. Dianne Tracy" into the hospital. Elise watched them go and once the elevator doors closed, she lifted off and headed back to the airport.
Hernando was once again waiting for her and drove her back to the rendezvous point.
"Thanks, Agent 97," Elise said as she got out to board the green machine.
"My pleasure, ma'am," Hernando replied, tipping her a wink.
As she entered the cockpit, she announced, "Gordon, move your butt."
"What? Why?"
"Because I'm flying this baby home, and don't you even think of arguing with me."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Gordon replied, getting up from the pilot's seat. "Besides, this way Virgil can blame you if his baby happens to get scratched."
"Yeah, right, like that's even gonna happen," she growled. "Strap in. We're headed back to base."
--a change of identity by FrankieTB2 and Tikatu on 12/9/2006
  
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