As they sat in the sub on their way home each one of them was lost in their own world.
`Well that was a complete waste of time, now wasn't it? Casino asked.
`Let it be Pappy`, said Chief
`There was no way any one could have known Casino`, said Actor.
`Well ,I mean sending us in to rescue some one that's already dead, how crazy is that? He asked
`I'm sure our agent didn't care much for the deal either Casino, now shut up and stop griping about it`, said Craig .
`Easy for you to say , it's not your ankle that almost got broke, and is hurting like hell, now is it? he said.
`It's a bad sprain pappy, now, do as the man says. Leave it. okay? said Chief.
`Well I'm just sayin`,
`I hear you Casino. And that's all you've been doin' for the last twelve hours, now can it`, said Craig angrily.
Casino was about to start again when Actor grabbed his arm and after he had got his attention he shook his head. Casino stopped in his tracks.
He looked at Craig
`We're worried about her too Warden`, he said quietly.
`I know, Casino, I know, guess we're all on edge about going home, he said .
The rest of the journey was spent in silence.
….
They got through their debriefing and then went straight to the hospital. Craig had tried to ring and find out how Angel was , but couldn't get a straight answer out of anyone.
He went to intensive care and looked through the glass in the door.
His heart missed a beat as he realised that someone else was occupying the bed that Angel had been in.
`Oh God no`, he said almost silently.
`Craig`, said a voice from behind him. `Sorry I missed you , I tried to find you before you got here.`
`She's gone`, he said
`Peter looked at him.
`Craig`, she's much better, we were able to take her out of here`, he said.
`She's alive? He asked anxiously.
`She's still unconscious , but she's alive , come on, I'll take you too her`, he said.
Craig followed him, picking up Actor and Chief on the way.
Peter opened the door of the room and they found themselves looking straight at Goniff.
`Warden, you're back, everything okay, is it? He asked.
Craig found himself smiling.
`Except for Casino's sprained ankle we're all fine Goniff, and what about you ? I have to say you look a lot better than last time we saw you `.
I'm doing just great Warden, takin' care of her , just like you told me too` he said proudly
Craig looked puzzled.
`More broken rules, I'm afraid`, said Peter smiling as he pulled back the curtain from the bed next to Goniff.
`Angel`, said Craig softly.
`It was the only way I could keep him in bed`, he said nodding at Goniff.
`She ain't said nothing' yet , but she will now you're back Warden, ` said Goniff.
Craig was standing staring at Angel.
`I did tell you it could take some time, remember? Asked Peter.
`Ere sit and 'old `er 'and Warden, she likes that, makes her feel safe I think, ` said Goniff as he did just what he had told Craig to do .
Swear she squeezes my hand sometimes, the Dr's say she don't, but you and I know better don't we luv? he asked her quietly.
Craig went round to Goniff and took Angel's hand from him.
`She looks a lot better, don't she? He asked.
Craig looked at Angel.
The heavy bandages had been replaced with thinner ones and all the tubes had gone, she looked as if she was sleeping, looked as if any moment she would just wake up , and everything would be all
right again.
`Talk to her`, said Goniff , `I do it all the time, figure it must be boring just laying there, been telling her about when I was a lad over 'ere, and about me mum, ` he said.
Well it's good that you were here to take such good care of her Goniff`, said Actor, `You feel up to tea and cakes as a reward for your vigilance?
Goniff licked his lips.
`Would that be okay Doc? He asked hopefully.
`I think that is an excellent idea, and I'm sure Craig would value some time alone with Angel`, he said.
`You want we should bring you something back Warden? Asked Goniff.
`Yeah , that would be good Goniff, thanks`, he said turning his attention back to Angel.
`As the others left silence filled the room.
`He wouldn't leave her`, said Peter, `Kept sneaking out to be with her, said he'd made you a promise. I moved her in with him as soon as she was stable, think it's done them both good`,
`How can you tell? Asked Craig sadly
`She's not getting any worse`, and he does nothing but talk to her all day, never stops unless one of the nurses tells him it's time for her bed bath or physio, then he just leaves for half an hour and
comes back when they're done and starts just where he left off. He told me that he has to do this, that he promised to take care of her, and that he knew she would do the same for him, I couldn't
argue with that`. Said Peter.
Craig smiled , but did not look at Peter.
`Think she always had a soft spot for Chief and Goniff , always thought that the other two could take care of themselves.` he said.
`Well now it's their turn to take care of her, that's if Goniff will let them`, said Peter.
`Yeah he can be stubborn when he decides to be, doesn't happen very often , but with Angel, well, he'll not give up on her`, said Craig.
`None of you should`, said Peter.
`You really think this could last a while,? He asked.
`She'll wake up when she's ready, that could take weeks , even months sometimes, and when she does, there's no saying that she'll remember you , or them or even the crash.
Until she decides to open her eyes, we won't know anything for certain`, said Peter.
`Well no matter how long it takes, we'll be here for her Doc`, he said.
`That's something that I never doubted Craig, he said.
He looked at the man sitting at the bedside , holding Angels hand, and knew by the look on his face that no one could love her more.
He turned quietly and left, doubting that Craig even knew he had gone.
…..
Goniff tossed and turned , he looked over at the Warden ,who was sitting next to Angel holding her hand.
`You awake Warden? He asked.
`Yeah, I'm awake Goniff`, came the answer.
`Can't sleep either hey? He asked.
Craig didn't answer.
It was ten thirty , he should have left hours ago, but he found comfort sitting with her, it was easier than staying at the mansion, worrying .
Peter had told him that her wounds were healing nicely, and that they would soon be releasing her to another hospital , one that specialised in cases like hers, one that was miles away from here,
away from him. He had not told the others yet, although he knew he would have to eventually.
Goniff was going to be allowed home in a couple of days. Maybe taking care of him would help them stop thinking about her, but he doubted it.
`She gonna be alright at that new place? Goniff asked.
He should have known,
`How did you find out? He asked .
`Heard the Dr telling one of the nurses, they thought I was sleeping. said Goniff
`I don't know Goniff, he said.
`Won't be able to see her, what if they don't talk to her like we do? What if she just lies there all day, alone, she'd hate that`. He said.
I know Goniff.` Craig said quietly.
`You think she'll ever wake up ? Goniff whispered.
Craig squeezed Angels hand tighter.
`She has too Goniff, she just has too`, he said.
`I thought I heard voices, said Peter as he entered the room.
`You shouldn't be here`, he said to Craig, `And you should be asleep`, he pointed a finger at Goniff.
`Just going Doc,` said Craig. `See you tomorrow, probably be afternoon though, got paperwork to catch up on.
`Well , the good news is that you can take Goniff home with you when you've finished visiting, he's fit to leave.` he said.
`You sure Doc? Cos I still get lots of aches and pains, maybe I should stay another week just to be on the safe side`, Goniff said.
Peter looked at him and smiled.
`Goniff , you could have gone home two days ago, I've already kept you here longer than I should`,
`Couple more days Doc, please`, Goniff begged.
`You are going to have to leave her sometime Goniff, and it might as well be tomorrow, ` said Peter.
Craig kissed Angel and then walked over to them.
`You come back with me tomorrow Goniff, no arguments, all right? He said.
`Okay Warden`, he said, `But I can still come and visit her, can't I?
`As often as you want Goniff, and for as long as you want, I promise`, said Peter.
`Well all right then,` he said.
`You want something to help you sleep ? Peter asked.
`Naw Doc, I'm fine`, he said.
Peter grabbed the curtain to close off Angel's bed.
`Leave it Doc, will ya? Asked Goniff.
`All right Goniff`, said Peter.
`See you tomorrow Goniff,` said Craig.
`Yeah all right Warden, and don't worry , I'll watch her, ` he said as he turned on his side to face Angel's bed.
Leaving Goniff to his vigil the two men left the room closing the door quietly behind them.