End's Beginning – Chapter 8

With latex gloves, sanitizing and disinfecting agents close at hand, Sheldon and Amy walked into the emergency room at Huntington Hospital. And tucked away among all the bactericidal agents in Sheldon's messenger bag were Leonard's Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney.

The ER was busy. The waiting room was packed with patients, their friends or family. But despite the large crowd, the room was basically quiet but filled with an excited hum, as all eyes were on the television, watching the broadcast of the explosion and fire just a few miles away.

Amy and Sheldon approached the reception desk manned by a beautiful but disinterested-looking twenty-something with jet-black hair, the ends of which were dyed purple.

"Can I help you?" A bored voice.

"Yes. I received a call from the Pasadena Police informing me that our friend was involved in the fire and sustained an injury. I was told that he was brought here."

The sound of cracking gum. "Your friend gotta name?"

"Dr. Leonard Hofstadter."

Jeannie, according to her nametag, tapped on her computer keyboard. "Hmmm. Not here."

Amy and Sheldon glanced at one another.

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. There's no one with that name here."

"Well, did you spell it correctly?"

"If h..o..f..s..t..a..d..t..e..r is correctly, then yeah."

Silence. Jeannie blew a small bubble with her gum. "So if I got the right name, the question is, do you have the right hospital?"

"Yes I have the right hospital! A Detective Palmieri called me and said Leonard was being brought here! So whom do I believe? A member of the Pasadena Police Department or a surly, lesser delegate of this healthcare institution?"

"Sheldon, lets approach this from a different angle. It is possible that Leonard is no longer in the emergency room." Amy looked at Jeannie. "The database you just searched, was it just the emergency room or an inpatient census?"

"Both."

"Can you tell us has anyone been brought in, at anytime, with an injury from the University?"

Jeannie scanned the screen. "Yes."

"Can you tell us that person's name?"

"No." Another small chewing gum bubble was blown quickly and popped with her teeth. "HIPPA violation."

"Is there anything that you can tell us?"

"Yeah. Your friend's not here."

Amy and Sheldon just looked at one another.

"Is it too quiet in here tonight? Is working in an emergency room not exciting enough for you? Are you deliberately trying to create a chaotic situation with your obstructionist manner? Because let me tell you, I am beginning to seethe."

"Sheldon, stay calm."

"I'm being helpful. You asked, I answered."

Amy remembered something. "Sheldon, you said the detective had referred to Leonard by the last name Stadler. That's close. Perhaps in the confusion at the scene, some information may have gotten misconstrued or muddled." Amy turned her attention to Jeannie once again. "Can you tell us do you have a Leonard Stadler as a patient here? Either in the emergency or inpatient census?"

With a heavy sigh, Jeannie once again tapped on the keyboard. "Well, congratulations. That name worked."

"Very good. Then can you tell us where he is?"

"You know, I'm not feeling comfortable with any of this. You're giving me all these different names until one works."

Amy continued, "We understand that completely. But there may have been a mix-up with the name. May we speak to someone else? Perhaps to a member of the staff that may have cared for him? Maybe if we described our friend …"

"Just let me go back and check things out with the charge nurse."

"Thank you."

Jeannie got up and disappeared through the doors that led to the treatment areas. Through a window, Sheldon and Amy saw her speaking with a woman in scrubs. Jeannie was pointing to them through the glass as she spoke. Just then, Howard, Raj and Bernadette came in hurriedly and joined them at the counter.

Everyone spoke at once.

"Is everything OK?"

"Have you heard anything about Leonard?"

"Amy! Have you been able to reach Penny? Her phone just keeps going to voice mail."

"They seem to have lost Leonard."

"What?"

"No. I can't get ahold of her either. We even knocked for her multiple times before we left. She wasn't home."

"How could they lose him?"

"Wait! Lost him how?"

"We're not entirely sure. Perhaps lost is not the right word. But there seems to be confusion regarding Leonard's name. And this secretary to whom we've been speaking is determined to be not helpful. She has a very stubborn passive-aggressive nature. I feel as if we entered The Twilight Zone. Either that or we're being Punked."

"This has been nothing but frustrating. We have been treated with a total lack of compassion and complete callousness. As Amy said, this malcontent is determined to be not helpful. Let me tell you, I've seen the future and it's frightening. A beautiful dark-haired purposefully impudent young woman with an agile mind," Sheldon said as he pointed to the returning Jeannie with a nurse in tow, "would be Leonard and Penny's offspring. God help us. I tell you the cyborgs cannot rise fast enough."

The doors to the treatment area opened and Jeannie and the nurse they saw behind the glass nurse exited. Jeannie took her seat with an audible huff. The nurse spoke to the group.

"Hi! Good evening, my name's Maureen. I'm the charge nurse here tonight. Jeannie filled me in on the situation regarding the name. At an accident scene like this, a mistaken identity, confusion regarding names does happen. Let's figure this out."

…..

Maureen took the group into a consult room and, using the data entered into the computer from the paramedic's paperwork, she questioned the group. All the questions she asked were correctly answered when compared to the paperwork. They knew Mr. Stadler's address, past medical history, and allergies. Sheldon produced The Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney. Even the physical description they gave matched with the one from a treating nurse. After having to deal with Jeannie, the process of correctly identifying Leonard was quick and efficient. Good thing too, because Maureen noticed that the group was becoming agitated.

"Just speak with Leonard, he'll tell you who we are," the man with the Beatles haircut said.

"Why can't Leonard just tell you all this himself?" the woman wearing the cardigan asked.

"We were told he just had a bump on the head," the petite blonde added.

"As Leonard's Durable Power of Attorney, legally I have every right to know what's happening. What is going on here that you're not telling us?" The Power of Attorney stood as he put a balled fist on the table for added effect.

"I was not here when Dr. Hofstadter was brought in by the ambulance and the treating ER doctor left at the change of shift. But his injuries were far more than just a bump on the head. From the records we have, it looks like there are significant blast injuries that include a surgical abdomen, a broken arm and leg and smoke inhalation."

"What?!" The Power of Attorney practically yelled.

"Oh my God!" The woman in the cardigan exclaimed, putting a hand to her chest.

"From the paramedics records, it also looks like he had to be resuscitated at the scene."

"Oh my God! Leonard!" The petite blonde began to cry.

"Jesus! Is he alive?" Beatles haircut asked as he held the sobbing blonde.

"He's not dead, is he?" Power of Attorney asked as his aggressive stance folded and fell into an empty chair.

"He's in the operating room right now. And we're very lucky that his surgeon, Dr. Gaithers, is an experienced trauma specialist who has worked extensively with blast victims in Afganistan. There is no better person to be with him now."

"Penny! She doesn't even know!" The woman in the cardigan said.

The only member of the group who never spoke was the man with the caramel-complexion who just stood looking horrified, both hands covering his mouth.

"Let me take you up to the waiting room outside of the operating room. I will let Dr. Gaithers and his team know that you're there. When they can, they'll come and speak to you. Certainly, they can better fill you in concerning all the medical and surgical issues."

"Thank you." The woman in the cardigan said as she helped the visibly shocked Power of Attorney to stand.

"And you might want to notify Dr. Hofstadter's family."

"Thank you. We will, " said Beatles haircut.

…..

The charge nurse left the stunned group in the empty fourth floor waiting room as she went to the operating room to speak with the surgical team.

Except for them, the large waiting room was empty. Softly lit by the light of some vending machines, the room had a soothing glow. Their mechanical hum was the only sound in the room. Large windows gave a beautiful view of the surrounding scenery. Rows of utilitarian but comfortable chairs lined the walls and center of the room. Small tables at the end of the rows were piled high with various magazines. A zone was designated as a children's play area with a colorful mat, books, large plastic building blocks, and a tiny table with chairs.

The group disbanded and went to find the solace in different corners of the room. Raj just stood by the floor to ceiling windows looking out at the star filled sky over the San Gabriel Mountains. Howard and Bernadette sat together on a couch, Howard holding her and rocking her as she cried. A man of intellect, Sheldon wanted to know what happened. He and Amy found a flat screen television set high in the wall, the remote control attached by a cord. He turned the TV on to see the news broadcast from the University. Mindful of the time of night, he kept the volume down. Brightly lit by the television crews, for the first time, he saw the damage for himself: the smoke, the downed trees, the dead rats, the wall blown out across the lawn.

"Oh dear, Lord! Leonard was in that?! What happened?"

"Yeah, Sheldon. That's what I'd like to know. What happened? Leonard said he had research and calculations, but he never mentioned he needed to go to the University."

Even though Howard's tone was curious, not accusatory, Sheldon started to feel defensive.

"Yeah, Sheldon. I'd like to know that too. What happened between you and Leonard tonight?"

All eyes turned towards Penny as she walked towards the group, staring at Sheldon, arms folded across her chest. If Howard's tone wasn't accusatory, Penny's certainly was. Covered in fine soot, the acrid smell of smoke wafted around her. Her eyes were red and swollen. She had been crying. Badly.

Bernadette ran towards her. "Penny! Thank God! We've been trying to get you!"

"Penny what happened? You were there?" Amy asked, picking up on the soot and the smell of smoke.

Penny's eyes never left Sheldon. "I was there with him. At the University."

A flood of exclamations came at her.

"Oh my, God!"

"Are you all right?"

"The scene is terrible! Just what happened there?"

"In a minute," she said still staring at Sheldon. "I've been thinking about this and it all started with you. I met Leonard in the parking lot after he left the apartment. He said he had a 'brutal Sheldon-fight' and he turned the thermostat up to ninety degrees to get even. But he didn't go into any details. Now I want to know what happened."

Amy sighed and shook her head. She knew something had happened between the roommates. She felt a pang in her heart. She wished Sheldon had been honest with her.

Howard was astonished. "You had a fight with Leonard? Why? We had a great evening together! We ate, played video games! We even toasted Leonard on the big government grant he got … he was so happy."

"Leonard got a government grant?"

Sheldon was silent and just stood there twitching.

"Yeah. From the Department of Defense. A nice one too. $450, 000 over four years. They had a read a paper he published regarding his work with lasers. They sought him out. He was practically bursting, waiting to tell us the news."

"He never mentioned anything."

"He said he was afraid to, he said he didn't want to jinx it."

Raj tapped Howard on the arm and pointed to Sheldon as he just stood there silently twitching.

The light went on in Howard's head. "That's it!" He spoke to Sheldon. "That's it! You're jealous that Leonard got a grant."

"No. I'm not jealous. Why would I be jealous?" Sheldon asked as he twitched spastically.

"Because Leonard got recognized for excellent work," Howard countered.

"And it's killing you," Penny added.

"I'm not jealous."

"Then what was the fight about?"

"I may have pointed out to Leonard some failings he has as a scientist."

"Did he point out some failings to you that you have as human being?" Penny was practically shouting.

"Aww! Sheldon! Why would you do that! He's your friend!"

"Yes. And as my friend, you think he'd keep me, his best friend, apprised of the significant issues in his life. But he didn't. This Department of Defense inquiry went on for months and he never mentioned anything to me, keeping me in the dark like so many mushrooms."

"Well, I can only guess that Leonard didn't tell you his good news because he probably felt you would dump on him."

"Like tonight, when he told you his good news and you dumped on him," Penny added.

Amy's heart was breaking. She loved the little group she was now a part of and she hated to see it fractured. She also had very strong feelings for Sheldon and disliked that Howard and Penny were being so brutally aggressive with him. Well, that and the fact that they did seem to have the better part of the argument. Leonard was usually the one to 'fix' things in their little group. Perhaps this time she could mollify the situation.

"Penny, Howard. I'm sure Sheldon is very happy for Leonard. But maybe Sheldon's just feeling some resentment towards the recognition due to the fact that Leonard sabotaged the Arctic Expedition and ruined Sheldon's chance for the Nobel Prize."

Whatever Amy believed she would accomplish with what she thought was a pacifying comment, had the opposite effect.

Penny, shaking her head and rolling her eyes, threw her arms up into the air. "Jesus! This. Again."

Raj, who had been hanging back letting Howard and Penny do all the talking, now came forward and stood beside Howard. He was staring at her and Sheldon, jaws clenched. Howard looked the same. They both leaned forward in an aggressive stance.

Howard's voice was low and acidic. "Oh. Is that what Sheldon told you?"

Amy took a tiny step back. "Yes," she answered softly.

"Did he also tell you that we kept all the original data and he proved nothing? Did he tell you that the experiment he designed was flawed and no slow moving monopoles were ever detected?"

"No …"

"So rather than owing up to his flawed methodology, he just blamed Leonard. Is that what he did?"

"I'm not sure …"

"Let's look at it this way. The National Science Foundation does not like it's resources to be wasted. And if Leonard," Howard made air quotes, "'sabotaged' three months of work, the NSF would be pissed, wouldn't they? And by extension, so would the University. And when they launched an investigation, and they did, and reviewed the results, which they did, Leonard wasn't sanctioned or removed from the University. Why do you suppose? I'll tell you. There were no results to sabotage." Howard pointed to Sheldon. "He. Proved. Nothing."

Amy glanced at Sheldon, who was just looking away.

Raj spoke hurriedly into Howard's ear, pointing at Sheldon as he spoke.

"Raj, I've had enough. You know everyone here. If you have something to say, say it for yourself. I'm tired of having your tongue in my ear."

Raj rapidly opened and closed his mouth. No words came forward.

"You better help me defend us. Our friendship may depend on it."

The astrophysicist glanced around the room in panic. Howard looked at him expectantly.

"Dude! You were a ginormous asshat." Raj practically screamed at Sheldon. He turned to Amy. "Did he tell you he said we weren't working hard enough and that he hid our food? That he let us only sleep in four hour intervals? That he overrode our computers so we couldn't communicate with anyone unless he gave us permission? We had a plan to kill him. Did Sheldon tell you that? Leonard did what he did to make him happy so he would ease up. Leonard saved us. All of us."

Bernadette had enough. She looked around the room. Penny was now crying by herself in a corner and Amy looked down uncomfortably at the floor, heartbroken and near tears. Howard and Raj were angrier than she had ever seen them and Sheldon looked tense. She loved her little band of friends and now it was threatening to collapse, dividing them and taking everyone with it. Leonard may be dying and they would need one another more than ever if the unthinkable happened.

"That's it! That's it! Enough!" She faced Howard and Raj. "Oh boo hoo. Sheldon was so mean to us in the Arctic!" Bernadette ridiculed. "You know what he's like to work with! You both went there, and Leonard too, fully knowing what a nutbag Sheldon is. Did you think it would be easier when his precious Nobel Prize was on the line?"

Howard stammered. "Well no …"

Bernadette turned her tiny wrath on Sheldon. "And you! Nobel Prize, Schnobel Prize!" She mocked, "Oh, oh I'm so mad at Leonard! He turned the can opener off and on! Get over it! Remember this – Leonard gave you something much greater than a Nobel Prize."

Sheldon looked stunned. "Other than the daily reinforcement of my superiority, what gift has Leonard given me that is greater than a Nobel Prize?"

Now it was Bernadette's turned to look stunned. "Us, Sheldon. Us. Everyone in this room, everyone you call a friend, and everyone here who loves and accepts you as you are, are here because of Leonard. He's the common denominator."

Sheldon sneered and towered over Bernadette. "Are you trying to tell me that this base collection of individuals, this subpar group of unfulfilled potential …"

Howard interrupted. "We love you too, Sheldon."

Sheldon continued unfazed, looking hard at Bernadette. "To whom, by complete chance, I find myself among, is better than a Nobel Prize?"

Raising her chin up, Bernadette looked Sheldon straight in the in the eye. "Yes."

"Well let me just tell you this. I ah … I um … I'll say this … um … I ah … um …" Sheldon slowly trailed off into silence.

Howard smiled. "We love you too, Sheldon."

Just then, Maureen returned with a cell phone in her hand. Coming from their respective corners, the group formed around her.

"I just came from the OR and spoke with Dr. Gaithers and made him aware of the situation. Although he appreciated that your answers matched our paperwork, he wanted positive identification." She took out the cell phone and showed them a photo that had just been taken with the camera. "Is this Dr. Leonard Hofstadter?"

The audible gasps, cries and soft exclamations from the group told her all she need to know.

Leonard looked dead.

Pale with a waxy complexion, he lay on the operating room table. The only color he had were the livid purple bruises on the right side of his face that extended down to his jaw and shoulder and continued to travel down under the sheet that lightly covered his chest. His eyes were swollen and taped shut. A tube was in his mouth and taped to his face, another was up one of his nostrils, going who-knows-where and draining god-knows-what. Multiple tubes and wires lay crisscrossed on his chest. A thick tube was sutured into the side of his neck; a second one was in his chest. Crusted blood lay in a trail from his right ear. He was wearing one of those puffy green paper operating room hats, a lone black curl escaping from under the elastic band.

The nurse turned to Sheldon. "I'm going to have the paperwork corrected and then I'll be back with some admission papers you'll need to sign."

Looking as if he was having a hard time breathing, Sheldon grabbed his chest. He stumbled backwards. Amy ran to his side to provide support.

Tears were in his eyes. "Amy. I did this. I did this."

…..

A/N -As always, I'd like to thank you for reading this far and hope you are continuing to enjoy the story. Please consider sending a review as any comments and/or criticisms will be gratefully accepted.