Chapter 10 Jovial Endings

As the helicopter landed, the team of doctors rushed to its side. They were told that their new patient was in critical case and unresponsive. Upon seeing their subject, the whole team paused with shock. All were amazed that this man was still alive with the way he looked. The man appeared as if he was put through a meat grinder and hung out for wild animals to eat. His friend exiting along side their patient, all stared at the massive cyborg. Seeing him, they rushed to the injured man and began doing their jobs.

Batou accompanied his colleague down to the operating room. There, the nurses stopped him and refused to allow him access. Not wanting to leave, he slowly found his way to the sitting room. Within ten minutes, Aramaki arrived bringing with him a limping Pazu pushing Saito in a wheelchair. Batou glared at his boss as he took a seat across from him. His anger over the disregard the Chief showed Togusa still burned in his heart. His glare was only broken five minutes later when Togusa's wife entered the waiting room.

Her face, red from crying, scanned the room and saw her husband's friends. She rushed towards Aramaki, who rose upon seeing her enter. Falling into his grasp, she began to cry hard into his shoulder.

"There, there, he'll pull through it. He's a fighter." Aramaki whispered into her ear trying to calm her. "Now sit down." he pulled her off his shoulder and slowly led her to a chair. Then he asked, "Where are the children?"

Patting her eyes and sniffling, she replied, "My sister was over when you called. I just started crying and ran out to drive here." Her eyes stared out at nothing in front of her. She took a deep breathe and went on, "I need to call her. I never said what was wrong."

"I'll do it, you sit here and wait for news about your husband," Aramaki said in a concerned tone.

Watching their boss leave the room, the men grew anxious. None of them knew what to say to comfort the crying woman. Fortunately, Aramaki returned within minutes, breaking the silence. The five people sat alone in the large waiting room. Still before rush hour, no major accidents have taken place.

Thirty minutes of waiting, Batou became impatient. Rising from his seat and began to pace the room with his hands behind his back. He ambled from end to end, the group watched him. Stopping him in his tracks, Boma and Ishikawa entered. Slowly they walked over to Togusa's wife and paid their respects and asked what the news was. As the two new visitors sat down, the Major entered. Like the others she walked to the wife and paid her respects. Then Motoko looked at her boss while sitting down next to him.

"Fusako has been imprisoned. I did learn before I dropped her off, that those onboard the ship were all that remained of the terrorist cell." After a long pause, she asked in a more somber voice, "How is he doing?"

"No word yet. All we know is that he is in surgery," Aramaki gravely stated.

What seemed like days, the hours passed. Concerned about Togusa, the party all waited for news of his condition. After four hours in surgery, a doctor emerged to speak with them.

"We've managed to stop the internal bleeding and set his bones, but his has lost a lot of blood. We considered transferring him into a shell, but he has a living will stating he does not desire to become a cyborg. All we can do now is sit and wait. The rest is up to him. He'll be moved to the ICU in thirty minutes. Then you all can go see him" After finishing, the doctor somberly turned and walked away.

Hearing the news, Togusa's wife began to cry again. She raised her shaking hands to her face, trying to hide the fact. The Major then rose and handed the crying woman a tissue for her eyes. Watching the Major walk around, Ishikawa and Boma also got up. Instead of pacing the room, they walked out. Taking that as a cue, Pazu pushed Saito after them. Aware of her men leaving, Motoko headed out also.

Allowed to visit Togusa, the remaining visitors headed for his room. Gazing at him through the windows, the group hesitated before entering. Tubes ran in and out of him. All his limbs were wrapped or had casts upon them. His head partially shaved on the right side, with an extensive stitch running from the back of his ear to his temple. Even his face was so badly swollen, he did not look like Togusa.

As his wife approached, she wanted to kiss and hug him all over. But upon observing his wounds, she feared to even breathe on him. Distressed by her husband's appearance, she turned and raced out of the room. Aramaki looked at Batou before turning after the wife.

Left alone with his friend, Batou pulled the seat next to the bed. He sat down and looked over all of the injuries. Letting out a large sigh, Batou lowered his head into his hands. A wave of immense guilt passed over him. It was his fault Togusa was here, he thought. He did not do his job to protect his buddies. Quietly, Batou sat there shameful of the actions he took through the mission.

Slowly opening the door, Aramaki escorted the wife to Togusa's bedside. Gently he sat her down on the edge of the bed. As she looked at her husband, she began to tremble. Noticing her shake, the Chief remained by her and place his hands on her shoulders. Not wanting to see her, Batou rose and headed for the door.

"Don't leave on my account" she tearfully said. "I know he's happy you're here. He told me how good friends you have become."

Listening to her, Batou turned around and retook his seat.

After being in a coma for fifteen days, Togusa showed signs of life. He began to flutter his eyes, and slide his unbroken fingers. On the twenty-first day, he finally opened his eyes. Luckily, his wife was next to him when he became conscious. Overjoyed at seeing his eyes open, his wife kissed him repeatedly on his bruised face.

A day later, Togusa was with it enough to have more visitors. The doctors had said he was too groggy to have company. The Chief and Major arriving together were his first visitors of the day. As they entered his room, he weakly tried to give them a smile. Still unable to say much, if anything, he just watched his friends sit down. Aramaki spoke first and told him about what happened with the case. Then the Major, filled him in on other things going on between the team, including how Saito and Pazu were doing.

After the first two left, Batou walked in. He had waited outside and down the hall not wanting to be seen by his superiors. Togusa's eyes light up as his best friend pulled a chair close to the bed. When Batou said nothing, and would not look at Togusa, he became upset.

"Its good to see you big guy" Togusa said in barely a whisper. His voice straining, he hoped his friend would open up and talk.

Without looking at his buddy, Batou quietly said, "I'm sorry. It's my fault you're here."

Puzzled, Togusa just stared. He wanted to comfort his large friend, but couldn't move or speak. Luckily, Batou raised his head and looked at Togusa. Seeing his friends glassy eyes, he thought he saw sympathy.

Straining his voice again Togusa said "I don't blame you…" but his voice gave out before he could finish.

The two friends sat in silence for awhile. Batou started to relax around his friend, who had fallen asleep. After thirty minutes, Togusa's wife entered the room. Not wanting to be there with her and her sleeping husband, Batou left.

For twelve weeks, Togusa was in the hospital. His injuries were so extensive, he had to learn to move again and retrain all of his muscles. Even upon release, he still needed the aid of the wheelchair. Batou had volunteered to bring him home from the hospital. His wife was to busy at home getting the surprise party ready. He had visitors in the hospital, but as time went by, they became less frequent. Only his wife and Batou remained the most constant visitors.

Upon entering his house, Togusa was startled by all his friends and colleagues. Men he hadn't seen in years from the police force were there to greet him and welcome him home. He was so happy to be home and with his friends and family supporting his recovery.