Showdown

Part 9

Jing-Mei sat up stunned in bed. She tried to force the words out of her mouth but they wouldn't come. She looked at her husband in bed next to her with a huge smile on his face. Finally, she managed to grasp a few words.

Jing-Mei: You want to marry me?

Dave nodded.

Jing-Mei: But we're already married.

Dave's face dropped. The smile was gone and he rolled over with his back facing Jing-Mei and went to sleep not saying another word about it. Waiting for him to speak and getting nothing, Jing-Mei went to sleep.

The next morning, while Dave and Rusty were playing with the video game, Jing-Mei sat at the breakfast table and had a cup of coffee with Mrs. Peterson. Antonio was up in his high chair playing with his food despite Mrs. Peterson gently tapping his hand to get him to stop. Lucky was sitting nearby waiting for food to drop onto the floor.

Jing-Mei: Rusty, put Lucky out in the backyard with Rascal!

Rusty ran in and grabbed the puppy up off the floor and placed him outside in the yard where he quickly went to work gnawing on his sleeping papa's ear.

Mrs. Peterson: You have been pretty quiet this morning. Is everything okay?

Jing-Mei: Yeah, I'm just trying to work my schedule for today out in my head. I'm working graveyard tonight, so I can take Dave for his dialysis treatment and Dr. Legaspi is going to meet us there. Then he has appointments with both his orthopedist and cardiologist today. I'm hoping to get back here by at least 4 or 5 o'clock so I can get some rest before I head back to start my shift.

Mrs. Peterson: If you don't mind me saying so, you look like you have more on your mind then today's agenda.

Jing-Mei(yawning): I'm just tired is all.

Mrs. Peterson(grinning): Didn't get much sleep last night.

Jing-Mei: No, I didn't. And it's not for the reason you think. I was up most of the night thinking. Dave's mad at me.

Mrs. Peterson: What for?

Jing-Mei: I'm not sure. I think I might have insulted him somehow.

Mrs. Peterson sat down after her refill and gingerly listened to what Jing-Mei was saying.

Jing-Mei: Dave and I were having a "little pillow talk" last night and then it just stopped all of a sudden. He went to sleep and hasn't spoken to me since.

Mrs. Peterson: What could you have done to upset him?

Jing-Mei: I can't for the life of me figure it out. Dave and I were having a wonderful time together and then he got real weird on me.

Mrs. Peterson: What do you mean "weird"?

Jing-Mei: He started asking me all these questions out of nowhere.

Mrs. Peterson: Like what?

Jing-Mei: He asked me if I still loved him even though he isn't and never would be perfect. He said that he knew he would always have problems and he wouldn't be as smart as my other friends.

Mrs. Peterson: What did you say?

Jing-Mei: I told him he was never perfect even before his attack but I still love him. That would never change...and then he...

Mrs. Peterson: He...?

Jing-Mei: He took my hand, looked into my eyes and...proposed.

A smile a mile long grew on Mrs. Peterson's face.

Mrs. Peterson: That's wonderful!! What did you tell him?

Jing-Mei: I told him we were already married and that's when he turned his back on me and went to sleep. What did I do? What should I do?

Mrs. Peterson: Accept his proposal.

Jing-Mei: But why? Like I said, we are already married.

Mrs. Peterson: Nevertheless, you still have to say yes to him.

Jing-Mei looked puzzled at Mrs. Peterson as if the older woman knew something that she didn't.

Jing-Mei: What's going on around here?

Mrs. Peterson: My wedding anniversary is coming up, the first one without Lee, and...

Jing-Mei took Mrs. Peterson's hand into hers and patted it.

Jing-Mei: I'm sorry. I didn't know. I sure it's going to be real tough on you.

Mrs. Peterson: It will be but that's not my point. This isn't about me. It's about Dr. Dave and you.

Jing-Mei: I don't see the connection.

Mrs. Peterson: I felt a little sad spending my anniversary alone without Lee so in order to take me out of that mood, I pulled out my family album...

Jing-Mei: Good idea. Think of all the happy times together.

Mrs. Peterson: Yes, but Dr. Dave was looking at it with me and he saw one of my wedding pictures. It was one with me in my long white gown. He was confused and started asking me alot of questions...to make a long story short, Dr. Dave doesn't remember when you two got married.

Jing-Mei: Not at all?

Mrs. Peterson shook her head.

Jing-Mei: Well, we never did have much of a ceremony and he was still pretty sick at the time.

Mrs. Peterson: But he's better now. He wants to marry you and be able to remember it. That's why he asked.

Jing-Mei: And when I didn't answer him automatically, Dave---sensitive as he is now--probably thought that I didn't want to. That he wasn't good enough for me.

Mrs. Peterson: That would be my guess. So, what do you say?

Jing-Mei: When Dave and I were married the first time, everyone at the hospital said that we should have a church ceremony eventually. Who knows, this might just be the thing to help Dave with his socializing skills, that he is desperately lacking.

Jing-Mei gets up from her seat and walks into the living room where the boys are playing. She stands in the doorway and smiles for a minute.

Jing-Mei: Yes, Dave. I will marry you---again!

Dave's controller drops to the floor as he slowly turns around to face his red-faced wife. He smiles back at her and then vigorously claps his hands.

Jing-Mei drops Dave off at dialysis and heads down to the lounge to relax only to return in a few minutes when Dr. Legaspi pages her for Dave's session. Jing-Mei is sitting in the lounge sipping her coffee when Abby walks in and joins her.

Abby: I didn't think that you were on until tonight, Dr. Chen.

Jing-Mei: I'm not. Dave's upstairs for a treatment and then he has appointments with several other doctors.

Jing-Mei momentarily gets up and starts looking through the collection of magazines that have gathered over time. She returns to the table and starts to skim one.

Jing-Mei: What do you think of the color peach?

Abby: Depends where you want to use it?

Jing-Mei: I was thinking about wearing a peach wedding dress this time around.

Abby nearly chokes on her coffee.

Abby: This time around? What are you talking about?

Jing-Mei: Well, I was going to mention it later when I came back to work tonight, once I had all the details worked out, but Dave and I are getting married---again.

Abby: That's wonderful. I am so happy for the both of you. How does Dave feel about this? I mean I know he's a little shy around people now...

Jing-Mei: It was his idea. He doesn't remember our first wedding so I want to give him a ceremony he won't ever forget. Abby, would you be my maid of honor?

Abby: I would love to. Never been one before.

Jing-Mei: Maybe I'll ask Carter to be Dave's best man. No, that should be Dave's choice. Oh well, I'll talk it over with Dave later. Please do not say anything about this to anyone yet.

Abby: My lips are sealed.

Jing-Mei's beeper goes off.

Jing-Mei: Dr. Legaspi must be ready to start Dave's session. Got to go. Remember, not one word.

Jing-Mei leaves the lounge and heads up to the dialysis room. She enters to find both Dr. Legaspi and Capt. Amos sitting by Dave's side.

Jing-Mei: Hello Dr. Legaspi and Capt. Amos. I didn't expect to see you here.

Dr. Legaspi: I called him. I promised him if the time came when I would discuss Dave's kidnapping with Dave, then I would let him in on the session.

Capt. Amos: You don't mind, do you Dr. Chen?

Jing-Mei: Of course not. If it will help catch the one who's behind hurting Dave then you can sit in on any of our sessions.

Dr. Legaspi: Alright, let's get started. Dave, I need for you to think back to when you were attacked. Can you do that for me?

Dave hesitated and after several minutes, he shook his head no. Dr. Legaspi sighed frustrated but continued on.

Dr. Legaspi: Will you let me put you under hypnosis again?

Dave, again shook his head no. Jing-Mei took his hand in hers and held it tightly.

Jing-Mei: Dave, you have to let her. We need to know who did this to you if we are ever going to move on with our lives. Please.

Dave stared at the tears flowing down his wife's face and took his good hand, the one Jing-Mei was grasping and wiped the tears from her face and regretfully nodded.

Several minutes later and Dave was under. Slowly, Dr. Legaspi took him back to that day.

Dr. Legaspi: Dave, can you go back almost two years for me? I need for you concentrate and think about the day you borrowed Dr. Carter's car.

Dave concentrated and then got a look on his face as if he remembered the day.

Dave: Rrrring. Rrrring.

Dr. Legaspi: You remember a telephone ringing?

Dave: Nnnno. Ddddrive Bbbbustleton Aaavenue.

Capt. Amos: That's the road that we found Dr. Carter's Lexus on the day of the kidnapping.

Dr. Legaspi: Good Dave. Can you remember anymore?

Dave: Rrrring. Rrring.

The two doctors and detective looked at one another, confused. Then Jing-Mei smiled.

Jing-Mei: That's right, Dave. You were coming back from getting me my engagement ring.

Dave: Ppppresent. Pppretty rrring fffor pppretty gggirl.

Jing-Mei blushed.

Jing-Mei: Thank you very much, sir. What else can you tell us?

Dave remains silent. Then he starts to gag, scaring the others.

Jing-Mei: Dave, are you alright?

Dave: Sssmell bbbad.

Dave places his right hand up over his face like he is trying to smother himself.

Dr. Legaspi: You were chloroformed. Go on.

Dave takes a deep breath and lies back in his reclining chair, obviously thinking.

Jing-Mei: What are you thinking about now, sweetheart?

Dave: Ddddark ppplace. Nnnno aaair. Bbbreathe ccan't. Hhhead hhhurt.

Dr. Legaspi: That must have been when he was in the trunk of the car and it makes sense that his head would hurt. That's a common side effect to chloroform.

The trio awaits patiently for Dave to continue.

Dave: Bbbright lllight. Hhhurt eeeyes.(Dave starts rubbing his eyes and squinting)

Capt. Amos: Did you see anything, Dr. Dave?

Dave: Ssseven nnnumber. Tttthen bbbar cccome cccloser. OUCH!!! (Dave screams and grabs his head and holds it while he continues to scream)

Dr. Legaspi and Jing-Mei manage to calm him down.

Jing-Mei: I think that's enough for today?

Dave: Nnnno. Gggo ooon.

Dr. Legaspi: Are you sure, Dave?

Dave nods.

Dr. Legaspi: What happened next?

Dave: Wwwake uuup. Cccan't sssee. Cccan't mmmove.

Dr. Legaspi: Where are you? How are you positioned?

Dave: Sssit ccchair. (Dave demonstrates how he was tied up)

Dr. Legaspi: Did you hear anything, Dave?

Dave starts shaking his head.

Dave: Nnno Dddave. Cccarter. Cccall mme Cccarter.

Capt. Amos: Right. They thought they had Dr. Carter. Did they finally learn the truth?

Dave passed that question by unanswered.

Dave: Ccccheesebbburger. Mmme eeeat.

Jing-Mei: At least they fed him.

Capt. Amos: Do you know where they got the cheeseburger at?

Dave: Ffffood aairport.

Capt. Amos: Are you sure it was at the airport?

Dave: Yyyes. Fffood tttaste bbbad---lllike hhhospital.

Jing-Mei: What are you thinking, Captain?

Capt. Amos: If one of Dave's captors did buy food at the airport then maybe I can find someone who can place them there the day?

Jing-Mei: There has to be dozens of restaurants at the airport.

Capt. Amos: I can take pictures of Rico, Frankie and the man who stabbed Dave in the hospital around to all of them and hope we get lucky and hit on something.

Dave screamed again, startling his companions. Jing-Mei noticed that tears were quickly forming in his eyes.

Jing-Mei: Dave, what happened?

Dave(crying): Ggground hhhard.

Dr. Legaspi: They threw you on the ground....uh, face down?

Dave nodded.

Dave: Ssshirt uup. Sssharp pppain. Wwwet cccold pppuddle dddripping ddown bback. Nnnnoise.

Dr. Legaspi: What kind of noise?

Dave: Bbbzzzzzzzzzz. Bbbbzzzzzzz.

Jing-Mei: The sternal saw used to cut out his kidney.

Dave: Ssscream. Cccan't ssscream. Bbbite dddown. Cccloth.

Jing-Mei: They had you gagged, Dave.

Dave calms down momentarily.

Jing-Mei: I guess we are past the mutilation and theft of his kidney now, at least in his mind.

Dave starts to shake. He's crying harder than before. Jing-Mei strokes his sweat covered head.

Jing-Mei: What is it baby?

Dave: Mmmman pppull pppants ddddown. Ggget ooon tttop ooof mmme...

Jing-Mei panics and covers Dave's mouth to stop him from talking.

Jing-Mei: Shhhhh!!! Let's stop this right now.

Capt. Amos: Why? Maybe he will tell us something that will be useful.

Jing-Mei: He is going to talk about the rape and I don't want to hear those details. Not now. Not ever.

Dr. Legaspi: Why don't we see what Dave wants to do?

Jing-Mei reluctantly takes her hand away from Dave's mouth and he continues.

Dave(crying): Pppressure. Bbbback hhhurt. Aaass hhhurts. Mmme Cccrying. Wwwwhy wwwon't ssstop hhhe? Llllaughing. Sssore.

Dave becomes nearly hysterical.

Dave: Wwwwhy hhhe rrrape mmme, ttoo? Llllike ppppapa.

Jing-Mei: Maybe cause they know just how much of a hunk you are they couldn't keep their hands off you, handsome. (pause, Jing-Mei runs her hand down Dave's wet face) I don't know why they did it but they shouldn't have.

Dave: Dddave, bbbad bbboy. Ffffault mmmine.

Jing-Mei: No, no sweetheart. They were the bad ones. Not you. You did nothing wrong. Do you understand me?

Dave nodded.

Dr. Legaspi: Okay, I think he's had enough for today. I'll bring him out.

Within a few minutes, Dave is brought out of his trance and rejoins the real world. He looks around at his visitors, confused.

Dave: Tttired Ccchin.

Jing-Mei: I guess so. You had a busy day. Just lay back and rest for a little while longer. Soon you'll be off this machine and then we have to visit your other doctors.

Dr. Legaspi: Well, I have other patients to see today. You did real good today, Dr. Dave.

Dave smiles at the doctor, having no idea what she is talking about.

Capt. Amos: I have to go now. (He turns towards Dave) If you remember anything else, please call me. Okay, son.

Dave swings his head around at the captain, stares at him with fire in his eyes and grits his teeth.

Dave: IIII AAAM NNOT YYOUR SSSON!!!

Capt. Amos: I know. It's just a figure of speech. Sorry, didn't mean to upset you.

Dave: Vvvvincenzio's ssson. Llllooks lllike hhhim.

All three stare at the angry, cold face of Dave. None know what significance his last statement has. Ignoring it, Dr. Legaspi and Capt. Amos leave the Maluccis alone and go on their way. Jing-Mei settles Dave back down and hums to him until he falls asleep again.

Almost two hours later and Dave has been to his orthopedist appointment and is waiting with Jing-Mei for his appointment with Dr. Casin, his cardiologist. In the waiting room, the two discuss Dave's appointment with his orthopedist.

Jing-Mei: Well, that check up went well. I thought he was going to tell us that you did some major damage to your leg when you fell but as it turns out, I was right that it was only a bad sprain and having it wrapped up helped it heal.

The nurse called Dave's name out and he and Jing-Mei enter the exam room. Dr. Casin helps Dave off with his shirt. He flinches when he sees the many scars covering Dave's body. He listens to Dave's heart and breathing, checks Dave's medicine bottles, then has the nurse set him up for an EKG. After ten minutes, the EKG is done and Dr. Casin has the results. He instructs the nurse to help Dave get dressed while he talks with Jing-Mei. He leads Jing-Mei into his office and both take a seat.

Jing-Mei: Is everything okay with Dave, doctor?

Dr. Casin: See for yourself.

He hands her Dave's EKG strip. She frowns.

Jing-Mei: Oh my. This doesn't look good. The beats are very irregular.

Dr. Casin: I know. Dr. Chen, have you noticed Dave in any pain lately?
Jing-Mei: Dave's always in pain with all his injuries.

Dr. Casin: I know but has he been holding his left arm or chest alot lately?

Jing-Mei: What are you getting at?

Dr. Casin: A few weeks ago, I was upstairs on the dialysis floor and I saw him getting his treatment so I went in to say hello. On the table next to him, was his nitroglycerin pill bottle.

Jing-Mei: Yes, that is the one medicine that I have been very strict with Dave about keeping with him at all times and showing him how to administer it to himself. We are still working on learning his other meds. What does that have to do with anything?

Dr. Casin: The last time I wrote him a prescription for those pills was two months ago for a three month supply. So, technically, he still should have at least a month's supply with him. I saw the bottle there was two pills in there. I asked him if he kept some in another bottle at home. He said no. I listened to his heart and heard a murmur. Didn't make too big a deal about it so I wrote him another prescription. While you were waiting outside, I called the pharmacy and they said he had filled the newest script. When I was looking over his meds, he only had about nine pills left---enough for maybe a week. Has he been taken them more then usual?

Jing-Mei: I hadn't noticed. Why? Something's wrong isn't it?

Dr. Casin: I want to admit Dave for some tests. If I'm right then the tests will prove my theory---which is Dave has been having chest pains for some time and not telling you about it.

Jing-Mei: Certainly, I would have noticed---wouldn't I?

Dr. Casin: Not necessarily. He probably didn't want to worry you.

Jing-Mei: What do you think is wrong with him?

Dr. Casin: Let's just wait until we have the results of the tests back.

Jing-Mei and Dr. Casin re-enter the exam room.

Dave: Hhhome. Gggo.

Jing-Mei: Dave, sweetheart. Dr. Casin wants to keep you here overnight for some tests.

Dave: Nnnno. Hhhhome. Ggggo nnnow.

Jing-Mei: You can't Dave. You have to have these tests done so we can see that everything is alright and that you're heart is healthy...well fairly healthy, anyway.

Dave: Iiii fffine. Ssstrong.

Dr. Casin: You had better leave now, Dr. Chen. No sense in making this any harder for him.

Jing-Mei: But he's so upset. Let me go with him to his room and wait until he's settled.

Dr. Casin: I can't let you do that. Believe me, Dr. Chen. This is the best thing for Dave. Let us deal with him. The longer you stay with him the harder it's going to be for him to let you leave.

Jing-Mei: He's scared so maybe I can reassure him that everything is alright...

Dr. Casin shook his head and directed the Asian doctor out of the room. Jing-Mei kissed Dave's head and started to walk out, hearing Dave crying in the background, like a little boy being left by his mommy on the first day of school.

Dave: CCCCHIN!!! WWWAIT FFOR DDDAVEY!!! DDDON'T LLLEAVE MME HHHERE, PPPPLEASE!!!!

Jing-Mei made it down to the elevator but she could still hear Dave crying her name. She went down to the ER only to be given a round of applause and a choir of congratulations. She was baffled.

Haleh: We heard, girl. You and Dr. Dave are finally going to make your marriage official.

Jing-Mei: But, how?

Then Jing-Mei looked over at Abby and Abby's face turned away from her.

Jing-Mei: Abby!

Abby: Sorry, Dr. Chen, but I held out as long as possible.

Kerry: We are so happy for the both of you.

Jing-Mei: Thank you.

Carter: So, where is the bridegroom at?

Jing-Mei: Still upstairs.

All at once, everyone noticed that Jing-Mei had been crying.

Carter: Deb, are you alright?

Jing-Mei: I'm fine. Dave---Dr. Casin wants to keep him overnight for some tests. He just had an EKG done and it wasn't good and...

Mark: I guess Dr. Casin is just being precautious. He doesn't want to take any chances with Dave's weakened heart. Relax, he's one of the best cardiologists around. Malucci is in good hands.

Jing-Mei: I know. It's just...uh, Lydia.

Lydia: Yes.

Jing-Mei: The other day when I brought Dave in for his leg injury, you were coming out of his room with a cup of water. You said Dave wanted it so he could take his medication.

Lydia: That's right.

Jing-Mei: Do you know what medication he had taken?

Lydia: I didn't see the bottle but Dr. Dave placed the pill under his tongue so I assumed it was his nitroglycerin pill. Why?

Jing-Mei: No reason. Thanks.

Kerry: What was all that about, Jing-Mei?

Jing-Mei: Something Dr. Casin said earlier...

Randi: Dr. Chen, that was the nurse up in cardiology. Dr. Malucci is in V-Fib.

To be continued. Please read and review.