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Chapter 42 - A Chat with Pete

The Doctor walked into the hospital room. It was 3:00 am. He had finally convinced Jackie to let him take her back to his flat. Jake was sitting next to Pete.

"He looks bad." Jake told him.

Pete had his head all wrapped up and tubes ran all over his body. This arm was swollen three times the size it normally was.

"I assure you he feels better now than he did." the Doctor said as he sat down in the chair on the other side of Pete.

"How on earth do you know that, mate?" Jake asked him.

"I can tell. Before he was in a lot of pain. It was hard to be in here. He was scared, confused and well...it was just difficult. I couldn't tell Jackie. Rose could sense it, too. She has been telling me about it all day."

"Can you explain to him what happened?" Jake asked him.

"Yes. That's why you are here. Keep an eye out that no one comes by to interrupt me. I want to see if I can talk to him. See how much of him is there. I'm not going to wait until he wakes up." the Doctor told Jake, quietly.

"That won't hurt him?" Jake asked.

"Nah. I wouldn't have done it last night, but now should be alright." the Doctor told Jake as he sat on the side of the bed and put both of his hands on Pete's cheeks.

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The Doctor was in a forest. It was very thick and vast. He looked around and called for Pete. He heard Pete call back. He walked towards where Pete's voice came from and found him sitting on the ground against a tree.

Pete looked up and seemed relieved to see the Doctor standing there. "This is just strange. I've been walking in this damn forest for hours. I can't find my way out."

The Doctor smiled. "Where are we Pete?"

"I'm not entirely certain. It looks a lot like the woods near Howie's childhood home back in Texas. But, different some way. I knew every tree in those woods. I probably rode through there a million times."

"Horses?"

"Yeah. I can't seem to find my way out of this. Where did you come from? What is going on? Why am I here?" Pete asked.

The Doctor walked over and sat down next to him on the ground. He handed him a lollipop. "What do you remember, before you came here?"

Pete shook his head. "Not a lot. I had two Quauhtin with me. I went back to the hotel to gather everything together. I thought I would surprise Jackie and pop back to your flat tonight. Wake up with her in the morning. She would like that. She always complains that she wakes up alone and she hates it. Some men came to the door and one of the Quauhtin let them in."

"Them? How many were there?"

"Just two."

"What did they look like?"

"White guys. Very strong. Looked like, boxers. One had very short hair. They wanted something. I can't remember."

"Did you recognize them?" the Doctor asked.

"They looked familiar. I'd seen them together before. I don't remember where, though. I can't remember what they wanted. But, it was very important they didn't get it. I didn't let them have it."

"Hmm...that encouraging news. Tell me about your family, Pete." the Doctor asked him.

Pete looked at him, surprised. "What? What a weird question. Why?"

"It's important. Tell me, do you remember what happened right before you left to go back to New York?"

Pete laughed, "Yeah, I wasn't that drunk. You and Rose got married. Right there in your flat in your bare feet. Howie did the ceremony. Badly. Jake had to look up the words."

The Doctor smiled. "Wonderful. Oh! Pete, close your eyes. I'll be right back."

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The nurse walked in and checked Pete's vitals.

The Doctor stood up. "I thought he had something on his face. I was wiping it off."

Jake watched as the nurse left. "How's it going?"

The Doctor smiled, "So far, really good. Keep an eye out."

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The Doctor spoke, "Sorry about that Pete. You can open your eyes."

"I never closed them. How the hell did you just disappear?" Pete asked.

"Ugh! Pete! I told you to close your eyes so you wouldn't see that!" the Doctor fussed at him.

"Yeah, whatever. Did you use your watch? Where is my watch?" Pete asked realizing it was missing. "In fact. I'm missing everything. My ring, my wallet, -"

"I have it. Don't worry. They gave it to Jackie, but she turned around and handed everything to me. Everything is in my pockets. Don't worry. I'll keep everything safe."

"They, who?" Pete asked.

The Doctor rubbed his head. "Pete, I know this is strange. Answer one more question for me, and I promise I'll answer all of your questions. Alright?"

Pete looked at him, "Alright. One more question."

"Who is my Comrade?" the Doctor asked.

Pete smiled and rubbed his head. "My son, Tony. Although, I have no idea why you call him that."

The Doctor smiled. "Fantastic. Oh thank goodness, Pete! You scared the hell out of us!"

"Okay, now my questions. What the hell is going on?" Pete asked.

"You sir, are in a coma. In a hospital in New York. There was an explosion. One of the guys that came to your hotel and both Quauhtin died. We nearly lost you."

"So, right now? I'm in a coma? And you are here with me. Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine. I wasn't there."

"What are my injuries?" Pete asked.

"You broke all of your ribs on your right side. Broke your arm and your leg. Punctured some organs, which I never even heard which ones, major concussion. That's why I came to see you. They are concerned that when you wake up, you won't remember anything. They are concerned about the level of damage that was done to your brain."

"What's the reason you are asking me about my family and stuff?" Pete asked.

The Doctor nodded. "Yes. Everything looks good. You just need to rest and your body will wake up when it's ready. Don't rush this, otherwise there can be damage."

"Can you do anything?" Pete asked.

"I've done as much as I can. I used our bone regrowth machine on your ribs, arm and leg. I even reconnected your neutrons to help everything start to work in your head again. At least you are breathing on your own. Your sense of taste will probably never be right again. It really got banged up. Your parietal lobes got a good smack to them. Did you fall on your head or did something hit you?"

Pete shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea. I don't remember."

"Ah, it's no matter. They wanted to do a lot of medieval stuff to you. I've had Rose keep me informed all day. She knows I don't trust doctors. They wanted to drill holes in your head to relieve the pressure, but I had them wait. It seems to be going down on it's on. Your skull was cracked anyway."

"My god!"

"Nah, you're fine. I'm not going to let them do anything to you like that. Well, unless you need it. Howie has asked the doctor to allow me to assist, which I'm sure is driving him crazy."

"You are a Doctor. Why do you hate Doctors?" Pete asked him.

"Doctor means something different where I come from. But, I'm also a medical Doctor. I just don't trust the level of knowledge these have here. They can't help it, they just don't know. I have my reasons. I won't tell you them while you are in a coma. It wouldn't be appropriate."

Pete nodded. "Seems fair. How is Jackie?"

"She's only just left your side. And only because I forced her to go back to my flat and take a nap. Rose and Genie were asleep when I left."

"How long have I been here?" Pete asked.

"About 28 hours."

"Now, here's the million dollar question." Pete sighed.

"Pete, you are going to be alright. Just stay here. Rest. And let your body wake up on its' own. Don't try to wake up before its' ready. You will be in a lot of pain and it can damage some of the stuff I've done to put your head back together."

Pete nodded and clapped his hands. "Stay here, in the forest. Ugh. Oh, this sucks."

"Well, Pete. This is your dream! Make it what you want! But, I plan to tell Rose she can come talk to you in your dreams as well. So, don't dream anything you wouldn't like her seeing." he warned and laughed.

Pete laughed. "Damn. Well, not that then. Damn."

"Well, unless you don't want me to tell Rose." the Doctor offered.

"How long do you think I'll be here?" Pete asked.

"Hard to say."

"Then don't tell Rose. Just tell her we chatted. Tell them I'm alright. And I'll see them in a few days. I'm going to enjoy myself. And you can come if you want, but not Rose. No."

The Doctor laughed and slapped his friend on his back. "You are going to be fine, Pete. Don't worry about anyone out here. I'll keep an eye on everything. Take your time."

"Who's here now?"

"Me and Jake. They only allow two back at a time."

"That's creepy. Are you lot just sitting around watching me sleep?" Pete asked.

"Well...ummm..."

"No, hell with that! Take Jake and have a drink! I'm not going anywhere. I'll be fine."

The Doctor laughed, stood up and dusted himself off. Pete stood up and hugged him. "Thanks. For everything. Come back and see me if I don't wake up in the next day. Alright? Keep me posted on me. Tell Jacks that I love her and I'm sorry we need to postpone our trip. But, we will go as soon as I'm out of here. I'm going to need to go someplace to relax to recover."

The Doctor smiled. "Right, mate. I'll handle it."

The Doctor turned to walk away. "Hey, Doc! Want to tell me that number? No one can hear us?"

"No, Pete!" the Doctor called back as he disappeared.

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