A/N Thanks to all who are reveiwing. As for my "medical Knowlege" I knew all those years of watching ER would come in handy. As for fic I normally write emdical dramas. Basically my method is part imagination and part research and hope for te best.
Who Protects The protector?
Marshall has made up his mind that by the time the doctor returned he was going to try to take that walk. Carefully sitting straight up in bed he groaned as the movement made itself known in his sore side. "Damn it!" he cursed softly as he waited for the pain to subside.
It was a little over thirty minutes later when Dr. Featherstone returned, still looking all business but decidedly rumpled. "How are you feeling now, Mr. Mann?" she inquired standing by the bed with her arms folded.
"Bored. I like to read and I have nothing to read," he stated trying his best not to sound like whiney little boy.
"So do you feel up to that walk yet?" the neurosurgeon asked.
"Yeah," He answered.
"Okay. I'll send in a couple of big strong guys from Physio to help you up and about since I doubt you're going to be all that steady on your feet," she told him. "I'll see if I can have someone get you a magazine or two from the waiting room."
"Thanks," Marshall replied.
"You get the magazines after I see how well you do being up and about," Dr. Featherstone said firmly as she headed for the door.
It was about ten minutes later when the door opened again to admit a nurse and two young men that Marshall suspected should be on the WWE instead of working in a hospital. "Mr. Mann, meet Mike and Roy. They're here to help you out if you need it," the nurse said.
"Ready to get up?" Mike asked.
"I think so," Marshall answered. He started to push aside the blanket and sheet.
"Just a minute," The nurse said reaching in a pocket of her scrubs and pulling out a pair of the disposable booties. "WE can't have you going around barefooted"
"What about the gown? There are other parts of me I don't exactly want to have bared," the patient said.
"Relax. You'll see it covers up everything that needs to be covered," she said and carefully slipped the booties on his feet. "The IV pole goes with you on the walk."
Now where am I going on this excursion?" Marshall asked.
"Just down to the beginning of the corridor and back to your room if you can manage that far. Mike and Roy are going to be on other side of you just in case," the nurse answered.
Marshall carefully swung his feet to the floor grasping the foot of the bed with one hand and the IV pole with the other. Taking a deep breath he let it out and eased himself to his feet ignoring the sudden pain in his side. For a moment he just stood where he was letting himself regain his equilibrium.
"You all right?" the nurse asked.
"Yeah. Just getting used to being on my feet again. Letting go of the bed he took several unsteady steps forward fully aware of the two men moving along at his side.
"Mr. Mann, if you start to feel dizzy or anything just let us know, okay? You don't need to try and overdo your first attempt," the nurse cautioned.
Marshall just nodded concentrating on putting on foot in front of the other as he made his slow way to the door.
"You're doing good," she said encouragingly.
He had made it almost to the middle of the corridor when the room suddenly spun dizzily and his vision started to dim. He knew he was going to go down fast and reflexively clutched the IV pole to keep himself upright. "Whoa…"
The nurse had been watching her patient's every move and watched as he began to suddenly sway. "Mike, Roy! Grab him!" she ordered while going to get the wheelchair that was fortunately parked nearby.
Having checked into the motel and finished their meal Stan arrived back at the SICU with Marshall's parents at precisely the wrong time. Seeing her son slumped in the wheelchair and surrounded by a crowd of medical personnel, she exclaimed, "Marshall!" and immediately started toward him only to be gently held back by Stan and her husband.
"Easy, Kathleen" James was saying as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. "Let's see what his doctor has to say." He was leading her toward the couch as he spoke..
"Let's get him back to his room," the nurse was saying. She looked up at another nurse. "Page Dr. Featherstone."
Marshall was beginning to come around again by the time they had him back in his room. Wearily he let himself be helped to bed and slumped back against the pillows waiting for the now slight feeling of dizziness to pass. "Looks like that didn't go so well," he said, looking up at the nurse.
"Looks that way," she agreed. Now I'm going to take a quick check of your vital signs while we wait fro Dr Featherstone to arrive," She was already reaching for his wrist. "Do feel nauseous or dizzy?"
"Just a little dizzy," he replied. "Not as bad as it was though."
"That's good," The nurse commented.
Dr Featherstone was in the room in a matter of minutes asking "What happened?"
"He experienced what appeared to be a syncopal episode and is complaining of some slight dizziness," the nurse replied moving away from the bed to speak quietly with the doctor.
"What are his vital signs?" the neurosurgeon asked.
"Pulse was 110, BP 100 over 80 and resps 15. He did regain consciousness once he got in the room. Approximate duration of LOC was three to four minutes," the younger woman replied.
Dr. Featherstone moved to Marshall's side and pulling out her penlight shined it in his eyes. "Your pupils are reacting normally. Still dizzy?"
"Some. Not so bad if I stay still," he replied.
"Well, let's see if it goes away on its own first before I order anything for it. If you're still experiencing it I'll be back to check you again. And go from there," the doctor said.
"Does that mean I don't get the magazine?" Marshall asked, managing to sound disappointed.
She looked at him quizzically and asked, "Do you honestly think you could read it?"
"Well, I could save it for later," he hinted trying to give her an appealing expression in his blue eyes.
"You can have it later," the neurosurgeon said firmly refusing to be drawn in by the puppy dog eyes. Meanwhile I have been informed. That your parents are waiting to talk with me."
Marshall reached up to cover his eyes with his hand a stricken expression on his face. I really really hope she didn't see me pass out. She has a tendency to worry a lot about me at times.," he said.
"Sounds like a typical mother," Dr. Featherstone commented. "Anything you want me to tell her just in case.?"
"That I'm okay.," Marshall answered ."Really I am."
"I'll see what I can do," the doctor said heading for the door.
I'll be back in a few minutes to se e how you're doing," the nurse said as she also headed for the door.
Stepping into the waiting area Dr. Featherstone immediately recognized Stan and headed toward him and the couple sitting on the couch. "I'm Dr. Anitra Featherstone, Marshall's primary care physician," she said in introduction.
"How is he? We saw him in the hallway," Kathleen said.
"Marshall said to tell you that he's okay. This was the first time I've had him up and walking about since he was brought here and he just did a little too much," the neurosurgeon explained, taking a seat in a chair across from them.
James Mann spoke up, "How badly is our son injured, Doctor?"
She faced him levelly and replied, ''When Marshall was attacked, he sustained a depressed skull fracture and I had to operate to remove a blood clot at the site of the fracture. While both can be life threatening at times, your son is awake and alert to people and surrounding He's also responding very well to treatment," the neurosurgeon answered.
"When can we see him?" Kathleen asked.
"He's resting right now so I'd prefer you wait until the morning. Is there a number we can have in case we need to reach you for any reason?" the doctor replied.
James Mann reached in his pocket for a business card and handed it over. "It has my cell number on it," he pointed out..
"US Marshall James Mann?" Dr. Featherstone read off. "I understand that Marshall is also a marshal."
"Like father like son," Kathleen said proudly.
The doctor quickly scribbled down her own number and handed it over. Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions and I'll get back to you as soon as I can, Now if you'll please excuse me I have other patients to attend to," she said getting to her feet.
"Thank you, Doctor," the elder Mann said, pocketing the number. And watching her leave.
"Come on, I'll drive you back to the motel. The rental car should be delivered in the morning," Stan told them.
