Disclaimer: see chapter one
AN: Little Miss Bump- no worries, and that game is addictive. I really don't know what to do- play the game, or write the story. And I totally agree; in the ideal world, chocolate ice-cream will make everything better. But it never works that way. :(
Lulu303- Of course Gordon blames himself; he was the one that was playing the game. Thanks for the review, and here's the chapter you and all the other reviewers asked and waited patiently for.
Chapter Seven- Play the Waiting Game
Tuesday rolled around faster than anyone would have liked it to. Jeff had closed International Rescue for two days, so that the whole family could be with Scott.
The sun rose steadily, bathing the island in a warm red-orange glow.
Jeff woke up the moment the sun hit his eyes, and rubbed them wearily. A sudden anxious feeling attacked his stomach. If he was this anxious, he couldn't imagine how Scott felt. Quickly, he flung himself out of his bed, and flew into his walk-in wardrobe, because he couldn't stay still. He pulled a suitcase out from the top shelf, and threw some shirts and trousers in there. His sons didn't know this, but he was intending to stay in Sydney until Scott was discharged from hospital.
As soon as he had finished packing, Jeff headed down to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and some biscuits. He squinted in the darkened room, and could make out a shadow, sitting at the table, head slumped in arms.
Jeff flicked on the lights, and the figure raised his head, and blinked rapidly.
"Scott, how long have you been here?"
"What's the time?" Scott asked, as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Quarter to six."
"In that case, I have been here for far too long. Four and a half hours to be exact."
Jeff reached for the coffee filter. "Want one?"
Scott shook his head. "No food allowed until after the operation, and I have to drink two litres of water before I'm admitted. No other drinks are allowed."
Jeff nodded, as he took a sip of his freshly made coffee. "I'd better get the boys up soon. We have to leave by eight." He placed a reassuring hand on Scott's shoulder. "Scott, you don't need to be nervous or scared. Everything will be fine."
Scott looked up at his father. "I'm not scared."
"Then, what are you feeling?"
"You really want to know?"
Jeff nodded earnestly, and sat down beside Scott.
"I'm worried."
"About what?"
Scott shook his head. "It doesn't matter."
Jeff wasn't happy with Scott's answer, but let it slide. He sat there, by his son, giving him the silent support Scott needed.
Scott stood up, and walked away from the seating area.
"Where are you going?" Virgil asked, looking up from the magazine he was reading. He was the only remaining Tracy at the hospital. Jeff had taken the others to dump their bags at the apartment Jeff bought when he expanded Tracy Industries into Oceania, and would be returning later.
"To do something important."
"Can it wait?" Virgil asked hopefully.
Scott turned around and stared at Virgil. "Virgil, I drank two and a half litres of water before we came here, so no, I don't think this can wait."
Virgil buried his head back into the article he was reading, and sensed Scott returning a few moments later.
"What're you reading?" Scott asked, peeking over Virgil's shoulder. "I didn't know you were interested in this."
"I'm not." Virgil quickly closed the magazine, effectively hiding the 'Top Fifty Eligible Bachelors' headline.
Before Scott could reply, Dr. Handley stuck his head out through a gap in the doors, and called the two brothers inside the wing. He led them to a private room, and closed the door behind them.
"I need to do a few tests before I prep you for the procedure. I will need some blood, and a CT scan." Dr. Handley pulled on a pair of gloves, and prepared a needle.
Scott nodded, and began to roll his sleeve up.
"Did you drink at least two litres of water?" At Scott's nod, the doctor continued. "Good. You won't be able to eat or drink anything from now onwards. The water should keep your body hydrated though." The doctor pulled the needle out of Scott's arm, and sent it to the lab for analysis. He handed Scott a standard hospital gown. "I'll be back to do the CT scan in about fifteen minutes."
"How long till you go under?" Alan asked.
The other Tracys had arrived at the hospital just after Scott came back from the CT scan, and had spent the rest of the time in the room with him.
Scott glanced at the clock mounted on the blinding white wall, while one hand held Melissa in his lap, and the other one played with her chocolate wisps of hair. "Not long. I'd hazard a guess at about five minutes."
Scott's guess was wrong. The orderlies had just walked through the door, and Jeff knew it was time for him and his family to leave.
Grasping Scott's hand, he bent low and whispered "Don't worry son. We'll be there when you wake up."
He heard similar reassurances from his brothers, who were standing in the door frame.
Then it was just him and Tash. She bent down to his level, and kissed him. "I'll be there when you wake up. I promise."
Scott quickly slipped his wedding band off his finger, pressed it into Tash's palm, and closed her fingers around it. "Look after it. Please."
Tash looked down and a puzzled frown pulled at her face.
"No jewellery allowed in theatre." Scott explained helpfully.
Tash smiled, and bent down to Scott again. They shared one more kiss, before the orderlies wheeled him away.
Hours passed; Jeff was pacing relentlessly in the waiting room, because he couldn't sit still. He was worried, he was anxious and he drank too many cups of coffee in a pathetic attempt to suppress his nerves.
He glanced down agitatedly at his watch. What was taking so long?
"Relax, Dad. They'll tell us when Scott's out."
Jeff looked up, and gave a shadow of a smile to his most insightful son. "I guess you're right, John."
"I guess I am." John gently pushed Jeff into a vacant seat. "Don't move. You've been making us dizzy with all of your pacing."
"Sorry John. I'll stop. At least, I'll try to stop."
"Good. I'll get you some water."
"Thanks, John."
Just as John approached the water dispenser, the glass door of the waiting room slid open.
Jeff, Virgil, Gordon, Alan, Tash and Tin-Tin all sprang up from their respective seats.
"What happened? Did everything go OK? There weren't any complications, were there?" The questions fell thick and fast from Jeff's mouth.
Dr. Handley held up his hands to stem the oncoming flow of questions. "The operation was a success. Majority of the operation went smoothly. However, there was a bit more bleeding than we anticipated. To replace the blood Scott lost, we have given him a blood transfusion."
"Can we see him?" Tash asked.
"Yes. I'll take you down to the ICU ward now." Dr. Handley led the way through a labyrinth of corridors and stairs. He stopped outside a solid, white painted, oak door. "He's in the third room on the left."
Jeff nodded, and Dr. Handley took it as his cue to leave.
Jeff placed his hand on the ICU door handle, and inhaled sharply.
Releasing his breath slowly, Jeff turned the handle, and stepped inside.
AN: Sorry about the extra long wait, and short-ish chapter. Hopefully, the next chapter will be up soon, provided that other commitments don't get in the way. Please review.