The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 59
Dave looks Jing-Mei not knowing what to do next.
Jing-Mei: Well Dave, what do you think?
Kerry: This is all very sudden, isn't it Jing-Mei?
Jing-Mei: I'm a United States citizen, Dave isn't. Can you think of a better way to keep Dave in the country.
Carter: Deb, that's a marriage of convenience and it's illegal.
Jing-Mei: It is not a marriage of convenience. Dave and I love each other.
Kerry: Dave doesn't even know who you are?
Jing-Mei(smiling at Dave): He will in time. Look, Dave is already starting to relax around me. He's not nearly as jumpy as he was when he first woke up.
Capt. Amos: Can I speak with you for a moment, Dr. Chen, over here?
Jing-Mei(to Dave): I'll be right back, sweetheart. You think about what I said and I'll be back for an answer.
Jing-Mei, Kerry and Carter followed Capt. Amos over to the other side of the room while Mrs. Peterson and Antonio keep Dave occupied.
Capt. Amos: Dr. Chen, do you know what you're doing?
Jing-Mei: I'm proposing to my boyfriend.
Kerry: I think you're rushing in to this.
Jing-Mei: I'm not. I've been thinking about it for awhile. I just needed this extra push.
Capt. Amos: Don't you think the INS is going to question this marriage? They know how desperate you are to keep Dr. Malucci here in the country.
Carter: They might get the wrong idea.
Jing-Mei: I don't care what they think.(pause) Why is it so hard to believe that I want to marry my boyfriend?
Kerry: Not hard to believe--just a little convenient.
Jing-Mei: Well, no one is going to talk me out of this. My mind is set.
Capt. Amos: Alright, but I hope you can convince the INS that this marriage is legit.
Kerry: I think this is all premature anyway. Dave hasn't given his answer yet. He probably doesn't even understand what you're asking.
Jing-Mei: Well, we will see about that.
Jing-Mei walks back over to Dave. Mrs. Peterson has Antonio up in front of Dave trying to get a reaction out of Dave with no results. Mrs. Peterson puts the baby back in his carriage as Jing-Mei sits next to Dave on his bed.
Jing-Mei: Dave, have you thought about what I asked you.
Dave remains unresponsive.
Jing-Mei: Dave, do you want to marry me? You know what that means don't you?
Dave blinks once(no).
Kerry: See, I told you. Now, you can't be serious about this "marriage"?
Jing-Mei: I am. Very serious. And before you say anything I've already gotten legal advice on this matter. My parents' lawyer said if I can get Dave to remember bits and pieces of his past and had sufficient reasons for getting married, other than keeping him in the country, then as long as he understood what was happening and he wanted it then there was no way anyone could stop us as long as we followed procedure, like blood tests, marriage license etc.
Capt. Amos: Sufficient reasons?
Jing-Mei: Dave was planning on proposing to me before his attack. He wanted to marry me then and he wants to now. Dave and I love each other and we have a child together and want to have more children and what is a better reason to want to get married than that.
Mrs. Peterson: I can't think of any.
Jing-Mei: And if it means Dave can stay right here in the U.S. then that's just a bonus.
Capt. Amos: What you say makes perfect sense except how can Dave love someone he doesn't know?
Jing-Mei(running her hand through her hair): When Dave and I first started dating, we really didn't know each other then, except that we hated working together. But we fell in love then and we will again. I already know how I feel about him and he's starting to feel comfortable around me.
Carter: Feeling comfortable around you is one thing, loving you is another.
Jing-Mei: John, you're the one who set us up in the first place.
Carter: I don't think I should get involved.
Jing-Mei: You didn't mind sticking your nose in our business when you fixed us up on that blind date. Now, you sure as hell can stick your nose in to help us out.
Carter: Touche'.
Jing-Mei: Dave, let me explain this all to you. If you like the idea--great and if you don't that's okay too. We will worry about getting married later and think of another way to keep you here. If we get married then we agree to share our lives with each other forever. You will be my husband and I'll be your wife. Not only do you get to stay here but we will officially be a family. Now, what do you think about that?
Dave lays back in his bed and stares up at the ceiling, thinking. After several minutes he looks back down at Jing-Mei, smiles and nods his head.
Jing-Mei: You do want to get married, don't you?
Dave blinks twice(yes).
Kerry: He said yes. I guess he knows what he wants.
Capt. Amos: Okay, let's just hope the INS buys it.
Jing-Mei kisses Dave's hand and smiles back at him.
Jing-Mei: He's happy. He likes the idea. And if the INS can't except that--then screw them.
Carter: Well, that's settled then. Whenever you two are ready for your blood tests, let me know.
Jing-Mei: We will. Thank you, John.
Kerry: Alright, that was all very sweet but we have to get back to work now, Carter. Let's go. Jing-Mei, I hope these wedding plans don't get in the way of your working. You are on tomorrow.
Jing-Mei: I know Kerry and they won't. I can handle it in my personal time and it won't interfere with my duties as a doctor.
Kerry: See that it doesn't. (walking out of the door, Kerry turns back to Dave and Jing-Mei to see them smiling at one another) And congratulations, you two. You make a nice couple.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, Dr. Weaver. (to Dave) See Dave, she's not cold-hearted bitch you always thought she was. (pause)Just kidding Kerry.
Kerry: Oh god, she's starting to act just like her brash fiance. They're the perfect couple.
Capt. Amos, Kerry and Carter exit the room leaving Jing-Mei, Mrs. Peterson and a sleeping Antonio in with Dave.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, I am very happy for the two of you.
Antonio starts to cry.
Mrs. Peterson: Looks like someone else is too. In his own way, of course.
Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson try to comfort the baby but his crying gets louder causing Dave to grab at his ears.
Jing-Mei: Take Antonio out of here, his crying is bothering Dave.
Mrs. Peterson: I think he's hungry. I'll take him out to the waiting room and feed him.
As soon as the baby is removed from the room, Dave relaxes.
Jing-Mei: I know your ears are extremely sensitive, Dave, but if we are going to be married you are going to have to get use to the baby crying and my pager going off. I know you can't help it. We'll think of something to help you. Dr. Chen will make you all better. I promise.
Jing-Mei sits with Dave until he falls asleep. Once he's out, she kisses his cheek and squeezes his hand. Then tiptoes out and heads to the waiting area to see Mrs. Peterson burping Antonio.
Mrs. Peterson: Is he okay?
Jing-Mei: Yes. He's sleeping soundly now.
Mrs. Peterson: So is the little guy here.
Jing-Mei: Like father, like son.
Jing-Mei, Antonio, Mrs. Peterson and their guards head downstairs through the ER. As they get off the elevator and walk down the hall, everyone in the ER is waiting for them.
ER Staff: CONGRATULATIONS, DR. CHEN!!!
Jing-Mei: SHHHHH!!!! The baby's asleep.
ER Staff(whispering): Congratulations, Dr. Chen!
Mrs. Peterson: I guess they heard already.
Jing-Mei: News does travel around here fast.
Jing-Mei glances at Carter who smiles back at her.
The next day after lunch, Jing-Mei heads off to the hospital.
Mrs. Peterson: I thought you were working the late shift tonight?
Jing-Mei: I am but today is Dave's first physical therapy session and I want to be there with him.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, tell Dr. Dave I wish him luck.
Jing-Mei: Thank you and I think he's going to need all the luck he can get.
Jing-Mei arrives at Dave's room and enters to see him with the nurse. He's in restraints and very agitated.
Jing-Mei: What is going on here? What are you doing?
Nurse: My job.
Jing-Mei: Why is he in restraints?
Nurse: I was trying to suction him and he started fighting the tube. I had no choice. I tried to reason with him but he wasn't in a reasoning kind of mood. Settle down, there Mr. Malucci!!!
Jing-Mei: DON'T TALK LIKE THAT TO HIM! And it's DR. MALUCCI to you. He's scared and you're just making it worse. Dave, it's alright sweetheart. She's not going to hurt you. I'm here and I'm going to look after you. It'll be alright.
Dave calms down and relaxes back in bed.
Nurse: Can we get on with this, now? I don't have all day.
Jing-Mei: He's not going to let you do it. I'll do it.
Nurse: I can't let you do...
Jing-Mei: Are you new here?
Nurse: I've just started a week ago. And you are...
Jing-Mei: I'm Dr. Chen and his fiance. I'm perfectly capable of doing this for him myself.
Nurse: But it's not your job, it's mine.
Jing-Mei: You know as long as Dr. Malucci and I have been doctors at this hospital and as long as he's been a patient here, I haven't seen one nurse that he hasn't been able to charm, until now. You are excused, Nurse..uh
Nurse: It's Nurse Bates and my supervisors aren't going to like...
Jing-Mei: I SAID YOU ARE EXCUSED, NURSE. And if your supervisors have a problem with this have them come see me.
The nurse storms out of the room, while Jing-Mei prepares to suction Dave's trache. She places her hand on the side of his face wiping the tears from his eyes and off his cheeks. Dave whines.
Jing-Mei: SHHHH!! It's okay, baby. I won't let her hurt you again. I love you so much and whether they let you stay or not isn't going to change that. If I have to move to Italy---we are going to be a family, one way or another. Nobody is going to break us up. NO ONE!!
Dave reached up to hug Jing-Mei but his hands were pulled back down to the bed. He started to whine again.
Jing-Mei: I'm sorry about this, Dave. Here let me take these off you. (referring to his restraints).
She unties his hands from the bed and he reaches up to hug her.
Jing-Mei: You do love me, don't you Dave?
Dave nods and smiles back at her.
Jing-Mei: So will you let me suction your trachea?
Dave nods and Jing-Mei gently places the tube down Dave's trachea as the door opens up and Capt. Amos and another gentleman walk in.
Mr. Garvey: Well, I've seen enough.
Jing-Mei: Excuse me. Who are you?
Capt. Amos: Dr. Chen, this is Benjamin Garvey--head of the INS. Mr. Garvey, this is Dr. Jing-Mei Chen---Dr. Malucci's fiance.
Jing-Mei: Please to meet you.
Mr. Garvey: Can we talk?
Jing-Mei: As long as we can do it while I take care of my fiance?
Mr. Garvey: Certainly.
Capt. Amos: Let me explain. I spoke with Mr. Garvey about your situation.
Mr. Garvey: I had enough couples getting married so that one of them can gain citizenship so let's just say I'm not a fan of these kind of marriages.
Capt. Amos: I told him this wasn't like that.
Mr. Garvey: I wasn't convinced but I considered meeting you and judging your sincerity of this marriage.(pause) I have to confess. I did come here with a prejudice mind. That is, I already had my mind made up that I wasn't going to approve this marriage, but until I happen to overhear your conversation with the nurse and your defense for the man you love and the love I see between the two of you right now. He trusts you and you clearly respect him as a doctor and as a patient with feelings, not just because your his girlfriend. There's no way I going to oppose this union. You two, obviously are in love or soon will be again and that's all I need to know. Dr. Chen, you and Dr. Malucci have the INS' blessing.
Jing-Mei tries to control her emotions while she suctions Dave, being careful not to hurt Dave.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, thank you so much Mr. Garvey. I would hug you right now, but I'm a little busy.
Mr. Garvey: Quite alright. Carry on with what you're doing. I have to be going. It was nice meeting you Dr. Chen.
Jing-Mei: You too, Mr. Garvey.
Capt. Amos: Congratulations and nice work, Dr. Chen.
Capt. Amos and Mr. Garvey started to leave the room.
Mr. Garvey: I'll be expecting an invitation to the wedding.
Jing-Mei: You got it.
Jing-Mei finishes up with Dave and holds his face in her hands. She tries to kiss him on his lips but he pulls away and tries to turn his head away from her.
Jing-Mei: I never thought the day would come that Dave Malucci would turn down being kissed. We must get you over this nervousness. Well, you better get use to being kissed because I intend to give you plenty after we are married.
Jing-Mei checks out her watch and looks at Dave, laying bored to death in bed.
Jing-Mei: Dave, how would you like to go for a ride?
Dave looks at her and shrugs.
Jing-Mei: Come on, except for tests and surgery you never leave this room. It's time you get up and explore where you've been for the past ten and a half months. You'll enjoy the change of scenery and maybe you'll remember something.
She gets up and leaves the room and returns a couple of minutes later with a wheelchair and two orderlies. She helps Dave sit up in bed and puts a robe on him then instructs the orderlies to put him in the wheelchair carefully.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, gentlemen.
Orderly: No problem, Dr. Chen.
The orderlies leave. She takes him off the heart monitor, removes the pulse ox from his finger, disconnects his respirator and places him on a portable one and hangs his IV bags on his chair. Then she pushes an unenthusiastic Dave out of his room and down the hall. They tour the hospital but Dave doesn't remember any of it.
Jing-Mei: I know what to do. How would you like to visit some old friends.
Dave remains silent and unattentive.
Jing-Mei: Then we agree.
She pushes Dave's wheelchair to the elevator and presses the first floor button. Once off the elevator, she turns the chair in the direction of the ER. They start down the hall towards the admit desk where they see Randi behind the desk reading a fashion magazine, the halls lined with gurneys and patients and nurses running back and forth from one room to another.
Jing-Mei: Looks like we came down at a bad time. If you want to go back up to your room we can do that.
Dave looked up at Jing-Mei and blinked once(no).
Jing-Mei: Alright, let's push on.
Luka: Randi, have my labs come back yet?
Randi: Do you see them here?
Luka starts rummaging through a pile of computer printouts and files on the desk until he comes across his labs.
Luka: Never mind, I found them.
Randi: I'm thrilled. (phone rings) Hold the celebration until after I answer the phone.
Luka turns to Kerry, who just walked up behind him.
Luka: Why do we keep her on here?
Kerry: She's quick with the phones.
Not wanting to get in the way during this hectic moment, Jing-Mei pushes Dave's chair into the lounge and sets him up at a table, while she gets a cup of coffee.
Jing-Mei: Dave, can you pick out your locker?
Dave looks at the lockers while Jing-Mei sits down at the table.
Jing-Mei: Just keep looking. Yours is there. Just find your name.
He stares at the name plates on the lockers but fails to find his. She looks up to see him squinting at the names and mouthing the letters as he studies the names. Then she realizes something she hasn't thought of before.
Jing-Mei: You can't read, can you?
Dave's head drops down and he stares at the floor.
Jing-Mei: I'm sorry, sweetheart. I forgot that Dr. Vasquez said that since the right side of your brain was severely damaged, you would have to train the left side to compensate for the right and guess that includes learning how to read again.
Dave keeps staring at the floor ashamed to look at his fiance. Jing-Mei takes him by the chin and lifts his head up.
Jing-Mei: There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I don't think there are many other people who could survive what has happened to you and come back as well and as quickly as you have. I am very proud of you. So, I don't want you to put yourself down anymore, okay.
Dave nods and Jing-Mei walks over to her locker and pulls out a magazine. She takes it over to the table and opens it up in front of Dave. She starts pointing at words and reading them off to Dave.
Jing-Mei: This will be a lot easier once you learn to speak again, but for now, let's just learn the letters and the words before we start saying them.
Half an hour later, Jing-Mei goes over to the lounge door and peeks out. The ER has finally calmed down and she figures now is as good a time as ever to take Dave out there to explore. She puts her magazine away and pushes Dave's wheelchair out of the lounge and into the hall, down to admit. They see a number of staff members standing at the front desk as they wander in.
Mark: Have we cleared the board off yet?
Abby: Just about. There's a small laceration in sutures and that hot appy in exam 3 waiting to go up to surgery. There are 2 people waiting in chairs.
Haleh: Other than that, we are doing great.
Haleh does a double-take when she sees who's entering the ER.
Haleh: Hey everyone, looks like we have a visitor today.
Everyone turns towards the two doctors coming up to the admit desk.
Malik: Dr. Dave, long time no see, man. How the hell are you?
Dave's eyes roam the ER as if he's seeing it for the first time. Haleh, Connie, Lydia and Chuny come over to give him a hug, but he whines and nearly jumps out of his chair. They back off, confused.
Jing-Mei: Sorry ladies. Dave's still very nervous when it comes to being touched.
Lydia: We're the ones who are sorry. We shouldn't have ganged up on him.
Chuny: You look great, Dr. Dave.
Carter: Especially, with that hat on.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson made it for him. He's not particularly fond of it. He keeps scratching at it. But it's better than looking at his bald head with all those horrible scars on it.
Connie: Well, we haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet, Dr. Dave.
Carter: You're getting a very special lady.
Abby: And Dr. Chen is getting herself a real tough guy.
Haleh: Have you guys set a date yet?
Jing-Mei: No, not yet. I was thinking once we have our blood tests done and I pick up the marriage license we could have the hospital chaplain marry us here.
Haleh: No girl. You have to have a big ceremony with all your friends there. Believe me, we would not miss watching confirmed bachelor and all-time womanizer Dr. Dave get married.
Jing-Mei: We will eventually. For now, just a small informal ceremony to seal the bond. When Dave gets out of the hospital, then we can plan a more official wedding. Right now, I'm still working on trying to get Antonio christened. One major celebration at a time.
Dave's eyes continue to wander the ER. Jing-Mei bends down next to Dave's ear.
Jing-Mei: Dave, do you remember this place?
Dave doesn't answer.
Jing-Mei: Do you remember anyone here?
Dave takes a few moments and looks around again at the faces, then takes a deep breath, sighs and blinks once(no).
Jing-Mei: Are you sure, Dave? No one here looks familiar to you?
Dave blinks once(no)
Jing-Mei: Well, I guess once you see them more often, you'll remember.
Dave gives them a half-smile when an ambulance pulls up in the bay with its sirens blaring causing Dave to grab at his ears and whine.
Malik: Dr. Dave, what's the matter?
Jing-Mei: The sirens hurt his ears.
Kerry: I thought he was suppose to be wearing earplugs to muffle loud frequencies.
Jing-Mei: He is but they don't help much. They still bother him.
Mark(to the paramedic): Give me the bullet!
Paramedic: Auto verses semi- one D.O.A, three majors and one minor coming your way.
Kerry: Sorry to cut your visit short, but we have to get back to work everyone.
Jing-Mei: That's alright. Dave's got physical therapy anyway. I'll be right back up to start my shift as soon as I get him settled in downstairs. It shouldn't take long. I think his physical therapist is just going to evaluate him today. Excuse us everyone.
ER Staff: Bye Dr. Dave. Good seeing you.
Down stairs in the physical therapy room, Jing-Mei wheels Dave in to the exam room. His physical therapist, Martin, looks over Dave and checks him out. An orthopedist starts his preliminary exam while Jing-Mei waits outside. Forty-five minutes later and Dr. Williams asks Jing-Mei in.
Jing-Mei: Well, what did...where's Dave at?
Dr. Williams: Martin has him in the PT room, starting to work with him. Don't worry, I think Martin's just going to help Dave with his stretching today. His muscles and tendons are very tight.
Jing-Mei: But other than that, he's okay right.
Dr. Williams: Yeah, he is otherwise we wouldn't have recommended he start PT. But there is one thing that concerns me.
Jing-Mei: What? His spinal cord is still in tact, isn't it? The swelling around it isn't inferring with his mobility.
Dr. Williams: Well, true the swelling is a factor and it definitely has to come down before Dave regains the use of his legs and most of the sensation below his waist.
Jing-Mei: What about the steel rod in his back?
Dr. Williams: That's still tightly secured and is keeping his spinal column in check. I'm a little concerned about some of his reflex changes.
Jing-Mei: Wouldn't reflex changes be fairly normal for a patient who was in a coma that long?
Dr. Williams: Yeah true, but he...wait he was in a coma?
Jing-Mei: Over seven months. His case history is rather long and confusing. I'm not surprised that you haven't had a chance to look it over.
Dr. Williams: I'll have to do that.
Jing-Mei looks at her watch.
Jing-Mei: Sorry Dr. Williams, I wish I could stay for Dave's first session but I have to get upstairs to the ER for work. If anything happens to him, please call me and if you can't reach me then page me.
Jing-Mei jots down her pager number for the doctor.
Jing-Mei: Tell Dave I said good luck and I'll see him later.
Dr. Williams: I will.
It's 5: 40 in the morning and Jing-Mei has signed out her last patient. She's been up to visit Dave every chance she gets on her breaks and now she's headed home.
Once she arrives home, she enters the nursery and sees Antonio fast asleep and quietly heads to her room being careful not to wake up the baby or Ms. Peterson when the doorbell rings, waking the baby up screaming. Jing-Mei heads back to the nursery to pick him up when she cut-off by Mrs. Peterson. The doorbell rings again.
Mrs. Peterson: I'll get the baby if you want to grab the door.
Jing-Mei: Sure, no problem.
Jing-Mei heads to the door and opens it. Her mouth drops and her eyes pop.
Jing-Mei: Mr. Santini, what are you doing here at this time of the morning?
Mr. Santini: Just got back from Italy and brought you a present. (pause)Congratulations, Dr. Chen--it's a boy.
In walks a bundled up an excited 7 year old.
Jing-Mei: Rusty?!
Rusty: Mama Jing!!
To be continued. Please read and review.