My Funny Friend and Me
by Roaming Tigress

Chapter Eight:
Down, but Not Out








Bushroot nervously sat in the corner of the hospital waiting room, waiting for an answer on Steelbeak's fate. Javert will pay for this. I will make sure of that. He depressively slouched in his chair, avoiding any sort of eye contact. The waiting room was nearly empty; beside him was a child with a teapot stuck around his wrist, and an old lady with a cast over her arm.

"Mr. Reginald Bushroot?" A grey feline nurse spoke softly, touching him on the shoulder and startling him unintentionally. "I'm sorry . . . "

Please, let this be a good answer. "He . . . Died, right?"

"Just follow me . . . " She answered in a whisper, leading him down the stark, main hospital corridor.

This can't be good. Why didn't she answer? Bushroot followed her, folding his hands together and praying for Steelbeak's survival. Passing security guards, crying children, strange smells and unruly patients made him feel worse. Going to jail for five years is easier than being in this place for five minutes. His eyes darted about nervously as he was lead around the corner of the building.

The nurse escorted him into a room marked down as A 105. At the back of the room was Steelbeak, alive, but just barely. Breathing laboriously and surrounded by machines that kept him alive, the chance of his recovery appeared slim.

"Last night he underwent a blood transfusion and a very serious operation to remove a bullet that missed his heart by an inch," the nurse informed Bushroot. "There were complications during the surgery, and there was a time when we didn't think he'd pull through. At the moment, we're not sure if he'll make a full recovery. You see, he doesn't have nostrils, and it made his breathing difficult while he was under anesthetic."

Steelbeak's so tough, how can this be? Bushroot's eyes were filled with tears as he tentatively approached the bed. The sight of his powerful friend looking so helpless now made his heart break. "Hey, Valentino . . . I'm here for you."

"Valentino?" The nurse asked quizzically, raising an eyebrow. "This must be the wrong room. You see, this is Steelbeak."

"His real name is V-Valentino Volatili," Bushroot stammered, sitting at the edge of the bed and stroking Steelbeak's face, breaking eye contact with the nurse. "I think he deserves something better than to be referred to as a code name."

Steelbeak stirred from his semiconscious state and smiled weakly. "I'm down, babe, but not out," he whispered hoarsely, gently taking ahold of Bushroot's hands and giving them a kiss. "T'anks fer stayin' wit' me. "

"That's the spirit, buddy . . . " Bushroot sobbed quietly, his tears nearly blinding him. "You'll pull through, I know you will!"

"Of course I'll pull t'rough!" Steelbeak exclaimed in a faint voice as he tried to sit up in bed. "No need ta get so upset over me . . . "

"Mr. Volatili, if you wish to get better, you must rest!" The nurse told him firmly, gently resting him back down. "You're still quite weak!"

Steelbeak closed his eyes and slipped back to sleep with a deep, raspy sigh. A male nurse monitored his breathing and jotted down a couple of notes on the patient's information sheet before going off to attend to someone else.

"Visitation time's up," the cat nurse told Bushroot, pointing at her watch. "We'll keep you advised on his condition."

"Thanks . . . "

Saying good-bye was the difficult part. He felt awful about leaving Steelbeak at the hospital Jeez . . . I feel like I'm abandoning him in this hellish place. know the nurses will take good care of him, and that it would probably be in his best interests to stay here until he gets better. I hope Steelie understands that I still love him, even more now.

Bushroot gave Steelbeak a final soft kiss on his beak before walking out. "Goodbye, Val . . . "


Disclaimer:
Darkwing Duck, Bushroot, High Command, Negaduck, Fearsome Five and Steelbeak are © Disney. Javert is © Roaming Tigress.