Disclaimer – See Chapter 1
Here's the next instalment – enjoy!
Chapter 11
The doctors had ordered that Mia undergo a range of scans and tests, which would not only allow them to assess the damage of her lungs, but would also pick up any previous injuries. Dr. Wilks had explained to Gibbs that it would be easier to carry out the testing before the sedation was decreased since Mia would be spared the stress of the scans, and the sedation would allow her to remain still.
"It will take a few hours for the scans and tests to be done, so I would advise that you go home, take a shower, change, and eat." Dr. Wilks told Gibbs.
At first there was no response from the agent, who looked down at his running outfit before running his fingers through his hair and nodding. He could really use a coffee right now. And a shower didn't seem to be a bad idea either.
"I'll be back in a few hours." Gibbs told the doctor. "Don't want her waking up alone."
"Once the tests are complete, we will reduce the sedation and allow Mia to wake up, but that alone could take an hour or a day. There really is no way to predict how quickly a patient will regain consciousness."
"Well," Gibbs replied. "I will be here whether it takes her an hour to wake up, a day, or a week."
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"Autopsy."
"Duck, it's me."
"Ah, Jethro. What can I do for you?"
"They're sending Mia for tests. Doc thinks she might have been injured and denied medical treatment. Says it'll take a few hours to get the scans and tests done. I'm going home to change and shower. Can you meet me at Bethesda in three hours?"
"Of course, Jethro, but may I ask –"
"Will explain everything there, Duck." Gibbs hung up, started the car, and headed for home.
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Exactly two hours and fifty-two minutes later, Special Agent Gibbs re-entered the PICU feeling refreshed and suitably caffeinated. He carried two take-away cups, one which would help to keep his head on straight, and the other containing some of that tea that Ducky liked. Hopefully, the M.E. would not feel the agent needed to be indulged as to the practice of brewing the perfect cup of tea.
"Thanks for coming, Duck." Gibbs greeted, extending the cup to his colleague. Ducky took the offered beverage, carefully removed the lid, and smiled into the steam.
"My pleasure, Jethro. Shall we head inside?" Ducky asked, turning towards Mia's room.
The two men took their drinks into the child's hospital room and, pulling the two chairs to one side of the room, sat and waited for Mia to return. It was a good opportunity for the agent to get his friend caught up on everything which had transpired in the M.E.'s absence.
"Ah yes. I can understand Dr. Wilks wanting to extubate as soon as possible, given her history." Ducky murmured, more to himself than to Gibbs.
It was another hour before Mia was wheeled back into the room by two nurses who positioned the bed then took their time in reconnecting the various tubes, wires, and lines. The child had been turned onto her back again, giving her the doll-like appearance she had before.
"Hello there, my dear." Ducky said, his soothing lilt carrying across the room. He stood and leant over the bed rail, taking Mia's hand in his. "Jethro tells me you will be waking up soon. It will be nice to finally meet you properly."
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"Agent Gibbs, Doctor Mallard." Dr. Wilks greeted as he walked into the room. The doctor carried Mia's file, along with several x-ray and CAT scan films, under his arm.
"Doctor Wilks, it is good to see you again." Ducky replied, standing and extending his hand towards the younger medic. Gibbs also rose, though offered nothing other than a nod of the head in terms of greeting.
"Yes, indeed. Please, sit." Dr. Wilks motioned to the two chairs and waited until the two men were seated before continuing. "As you know, we ran a range of tests and scans this morning, and the results are both promising, and a little worrying."
The medic turned towards an x-ray box on the wall and slid two films into place, drawing the attention of Gibbs and Ducky before flicking the switch on. The light blinked a few times as it warmed up, and then displayed images of Mia's chest.
"As you can see here," The doctor continued, pointing to the x-ray. "The infection in Mia's lungs has not developed since her admission, meaning that the previous scarring has not worsened."
"I can see why you have cause for worry, Doctor Wilks." Ducky said, his voice displaying his concern. His eyes were narrowed as he scrutinised the x-ray films, tracing a finger over the images.
"Duck?" Gibbs asked, unable to determine anything from the black-and-white pictures.
"See here, Jethro." Ducky replied, pointing to the image of Mia's ribcage. "The ribs show evidence of old fractures, some of which have healed remarkably well, but some have healed slightly out of alignment"
Gibbs inhaled deeply in an attempt to put a stop to the bile rising in his throat and to prevent the somewhat colourful language threatening to fly from his mouth.
"And it wasn't limited to her ribs." Doctor Wilks said tersely, pulling down the chest x-rays and replacing them with those of her limbs.
"Jesus Christ, Duck! That son of a –"
"Jethro!" Ducky snapped quickly, grabbing the agent's arm and effectively cutting off the agent's tirade. Gibbs turned to Mia, almost hoping that his sudden outburst had woken her, but at the same time was glad that it hadn't.
"So, the x-rays show a multitude of fractures, all in different stages of healing. Her left forearm is particularly damaged. The consultant radiologist counted more than seven individual fracture points and, as you can see, most have healed with poor alignment." The doctor turned at this point, walked to the side of the bed, and took Mia's left wrist in his hands. The two men watched as the medic gently turned the limb and felt their guts churn on seeing that the child's arm was, indeed, far from straight.
What did you think?
