The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 61
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.
The pulse on Dave's heart monitor increased and his blood pressure shot up.
Jing-Mei: Dave, Dave!
Carter: What happened to him?
Jing-Mei took off her stethoscope and listened to his heart as Dave drifted in and out of conscious.
Jing-Mei: He's tachycardia. BP is 150/114. Get his doctor, Carter!
As Carter ran out the door, a team of nurses and doctors came in with a crash cart.
Dr. Casin: Give him 5 amps of epi and 20cc lidocaine. Charge the paddles.
Carter: He's in V-Fib.
Jing-Mei: Can you hear me Dave?
Dr. Casin: Charge to 200. You are going to have to wait outside, now?
Jing-Mei: I am not leaving him!
Carter pulls Jing-Mei, tears and all, out of the room. After ten minutes, Dr. Casin stabilizes Dave and takes him down for some tests and x-rays. Carter and Jing-Mei wait outside Dave's room.
Jing-Mei: I don't want to leave him.
Carter: Let Dr. Casin do his job. He's the best cardiologist in the country. He's going to take good care of him. We will just get in the way.
Carter went over to the front desk and called down to the ER. He came back and sat down next to a hysterical Jing-Mei.
Carter: I spoke with Dr. Green and he says that the ER is slow only one patient in exam 1 with a UTI and one in sutures. So he said to take your time coming back. Are you okay?
Jing-Mei: No. (shaking her head) I don't know what happened to him. He was fine one moment and the next he started seizing.
Carter: I know I was there. Do you think they hurt him down in physical therapy?
Jing-Mei: They better have not, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. You should have seen how roughly they were treating him. If anything happens to him, I'll...
Carter: Nothing is going to happen to him. Malucci's too stubborn and he's come too far.
Jing-Mei: I don't know what's been happening to him lately. He's been ignoring everyone around, being disobedient to his therapists, nurses and friends. It's like he doesn't care anymore whether he gets better or not.
Carter: You know Malucci. He's always been very arrogant and as far as manners and listening to anyone with any authority over him, well Dr. Weaver can tell you stories about that.
Jing-Mei: Even before his kidnapping, Dave was never like this. He was arrogant, yes, but that was his way of hiding his feelings. That macho male ego of his made him look and act like an entirely different person than he was. (pause)John, can I tell you a secret?
Carter: You know you can.
Jing-Mei: I know that most people thought that Dave was a jerk.
Carter: Probably everyone who ever met him, I imagine.
Jing-Mei: I liked Dave the way he was before his attack. That's the Dave I fell in love with. Dave lived by his own rules and he never let anyone push him around. Now, I just don't know.
Carter: Why?
Jing-Mei: Why did I like Dave? It's hard to explain. When Dave and I started going out together he was a real guy. He was himself. Granted, he didn't show his true emotions or feelings but even still he was straight forward. If he liked something he said it, no matter how bad or stupid it was and if he didn't like something, he would let you know that too. He didn't try to be something he wasn't. He wasn't like any of the other guys I ever went out with. Despite what Kerry thinks, Dave was more disciplined than she'd like to believe. He might have not been the brightest guy around but when he did something wrong no one was more hard on him than he was on himself. He tried so hard. He really did. It's just for some reason things never seem to work out his way. He never gave up trying, though. Now, it seems like he's putting on an act. He's trying to act like people want him to but he can't. He doesn't remember how he was before. He could never be the way he was and although I will always love Dave I don't know if I'm still in love with him.
Carter: Deb, you don't mean that. When you go in and see Dave again and look at him then go home and look at Antonio and then tell me that he's not the man you want to spend the rest of your life with then I'll feel sorry for you. But don't expect me to now. Dave is still just trying to adjust to everyone and everything. Try to remember we don't have to get use to Dave---he has to get use to us and that's going to take some time. He's got a lot on his plate right now with his fragile health, surgeries, recovery, therapy, re-learning all things that he use to and that we take for granted. And on top of all that there's someone out there trying to kill him.
Jing-Mei: I know you're right. I am just so scared of losing him that I'm trying to talk myself out of ever believing that I loved him in the first place. Did that make any sense?
Carter: Perfect sense.
Jing-Mei(crying): John, what am I going to do if I lose him?
Carter: You won't. Aren't you the one who always held positive thoughts for him when he was in the coma and the rest of us thought he'd never wake up.
Jing-Mei: I think I did that more for myself than for him.
Carter: What do you mean?
Jing-Mei: I did it to keep my own hopes up. I was still pregnant with Antonio at the time and I knew the more upset I got the harder my pregnancy would be on me.
Carter: You also had the baby to think about and even though Dave had reservations about the child, he would not want anything to happen to his child.
Jing-Mei: You're right of course.
Carter: Something is still wrong.
Jing-Mei: Now, I'm sitting here thinking if we did the right thing.
Carter: I don't get it, the right thing?
Jing-Mei: For Dave. I'm beginning to think Dave would have been better off if we didn't save him after his kidnapping.
Carter: You aren't serious!
Jing-Mei: I am. Dave is not out of danger yet. He's still on the critical list. He may still die. And if Dave has to die, let him die now. Don't let him suffer anymore.
Carter: I don't think he's suffering---maybe when he was first injured but now he's getting better.
Jing-Mei: Maybe better health-wise but what kind of life is he going to have. We can't go anywhere without guards. What kind of life is that for our children to lead. It's not fair to them.
Carter: They will catch the ones responsible for all your problems once Dave starts to remember. Who knows he may be able to identify them.
Down the hall, the orderlies roll a gurney carrying an unconscious Malucci back into his room. Dr. Casin approaches a shaken Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: Well, give it to me straight. What's wrong with him?
Dr. Casin: We ran every test know to man on him, I think, and we can't find a single thing that could have brought on the seizure.
Carter: Could it have been the pressure building up on his brain from the fluid or the damage to the brain?
Dr. Casin: Certainly, it could be one of those reasons that we might have missed. But according to Dr. Vasquez, the shunts are doing a good job of relieving the pressure from the brain and there's no hemorrhaging. I don't think Dr. Malucci's seizure was brought on by anything---physically anyway.
Jing-Mei: Then what?
Dr. Casin: Maybe emotional. Have you noticed anything different in him?
Jing-Mei: Different, how?
Dr. Casin: I'm no psychiatrist but I'd say anything like acting out of the normal way, mood swings, depression etc.
Jing-Mei: Well, he is a little more tense than I remember before his attack, but that's not unusual. He's less trusting than he use to be. And depression, yes, plenty of depression.
Dr. Casin: If I were you, I would seriously consider getting him some professional psychological help fast.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, Dr. Casin. May I go in and see him now?
Dr. Casin: Sure, why not. He should be waking up by now or shortly. We had to sedate him to run the tests, especially the spinal tap. He wouldn't sit still much let us touch him. The Versed should be wearing off by now. Excuse me.
Jing-Mei and Carter walk into Dave's room and see him laying motionless in the bed. Jing-Mei goes over to Dave's bed and reaches out for his hand. Dave, who's semi-conscious, pulls away from her but with very little strength his hand falls to the bed and doesn't lift it back up. His head drops to the side and he just stares at her, not even trying to fight her anymore.
Jing-Mei: Dave, what happened? What went wrong?
He turned away from her and closed his eyes. She walked back over to Carter.
Carter: What could have set him off? Do you think it was his physical therapy?
Jing-Mei: No, I don't think it was that. He was calmed down when I walked in to see him.
Carter: And he seemed alright when you were fixing his hat and bandana. It seems like he only got upset when we started to talk...do you think that maybe Dave is jealous?
Jing-Mei: Dave, no. He doesn't have a jealous...well, at least he never did before. I don't know. No definitely not. He is not jealous. It's something else. Dave knows I love him. I certainly tell him enough and he loves me even if he can't say it. Besides, he wouldn't marry me if he had any doubts. He loved me before the attack, after all he brought me the engagement ring.
Carter: The ring that almost cost him his life and was retrieved from my Lexus.
Dave's head turns toward his visitors. Dave starts to stutter. Jing-Mei and Carter run to his side.
Jing-Mei: What are you trying to say, Dave?
Dave gets red in the face as he starts to open and close his mouth. His breathing becomes erratic,
Carter: Don't force it, Malucci. Let the words come out naturally.
Dave's entire body shook as he tried to speak. He continued to open his mouth, but aside from a few inaudible sounds, nothing came out. Finally, he calmed down and looked at them with determination in his eyes.
Dave(mouthing): Lexus.
He repeated it several times. After a few times, Jing-Mei figured it out.
Jing-Mei: Lexus, Dave?
Dave blinked twice(yes). Relieved that he finally was able to get them to understand him, he laid back in his bed. His eyes became heavy, his breathing returned to normal and he was obviously worn out. Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, Dave gave in to sleep.
Jing-Mei(looking back at Dave): Dave, wake up. Please wake up.
Carter: Deb, he's just asleep. He's exhausted. Let him rest. He remembers my Lexus.
Jing-Mei: I'm going to call Capt. Amos.
Jing-Mei and Carter leave Dave's room. Carter heads down to the ER while Jing-Mei calls the captain. Fifteen minutes later, Jing-Mei joined Carter down at the admit desk.
Carter: What did Capt. Amos say?
Jing-Mei: I wasn't able to reach him. I left a message for him back at the station. I guess I should get back to work and take my mind off it, for now.
Jing-Mei arrives at home to see Rusty playing with his video game. She confronts Mrs. Peterson.
Jing-Mei: How did it get hooked up? Did you get your husband over here?
Mrs. Peterson: Not really...
Mr. Santini(walking out of the bathroom): Hi. Dr. Chen.
Rusty: Come, Mr. Santini, play, come!!!
Mr. Santini: Excuse me, ladies. I'm coming, big guy.
Mrs. Peterson: Mr. Santini called earlier and I asked him if he could spare a little time to come over and set up Rusty's birthday present.
Jing-Mei: Good. At least that kept him busy today. How's the baby?
Mrs. Peterson: Just going in for a bottle. But now that you're home, I guess...
Jing-Mei: No. That's okay, continue. I'm going back out but there is something you could do for me if you want.
Mrs. Peterson: Name it.
Jing-Mei: I called the bakery but the cake wasn't ready yet so I came home to drop this bag off and check on you guys. I'm going to pick up Rusty's cake and presents, so could you put up these decorations that I got. Some of my fellow workers may be coming over for a small party. Just make them feel at home if they arrive before I get home. Please invite your hubby over too.
Mrs. Peterson: I can do that.
Jing-Mei: Thank you.
Jing-Mei walks by the living room and sees Rusty and Mr. Santini playing with his video game. They were talking, laughing and having a good time. This gave Jing-Mei an idea.
Jing-Mei: Mr. Santini, could I see you for a minute.
Mr. Santini excused himself from Rusty and walked over to Jing-Mei.
Mr. Santini: I'm sorry for hanging around so long...
Jing-Mei: No. On the contrary, thank you for helping out and we're going to have a small party for Rusty later if you want to stay.
Mr. Santini: I'd like that.
Jing-Mei: Mr. Santini, you and Rusty get along so good together.
Mr. Santini: He's a great kid. But so was his daddy.
Jing-Mei: I was wondering how you feel about working with Rusty on his English. I know you have an apartment building to run but I could drop Rusty off in morning and pick him up in the afternoon. He wouldn't get in the way. The job pays $15.00 an hour.
Mr. Santini: I would love that, as a favor. I couldn't ask to be paid to do a favor. I would enjoy the company at my place. It gets kind of lonely there since my daughters are all grown up and gone.
Jing-Mei: I have to go now but we will work out the details later and you will be paid. I paid Rusty's last English tutor, and he didn't earn it. But I trust you with Rusty and I know you will do a great job with him.
Mr. Santini: Thank you. Can I tell him and see what he thinks?
Jing-Mei: I think you'd better. You'd have to anyway if I tried to tell him.
Mr. Santini walks over to Rusty and tells him about the new arrangement. Rusty looks at Jing-Mei, smiles then hugs Mr. Santini.
Mr. Santini: He likes the idea.
Jing-Mei: I can see that.
Some of the ER staff has arrived at Jing-Mei's house for the party carrying gifts. Rusty was so excited to see the people coming to his party. He never had a birthday party with mostly adults there. Peter and Cleo brought Reese with them and Elizabeth and Mark brought Ella but other than that it was mostly grown-ups.
Everyone admired the house and how big and spacious it was. But there was someone missing and they all felt it. The guests held and bounced an excited little Antonio and played with Rusty and his video game while Jing-Mei finished in the kitchen.
Jing-Mei(yelling from the kitchen): Mrs. Peterson, will you take Antonio in to the nursery and put him to bed.
Mrs. Peterson: Sure.
She takes the baby from Haleh's arms and waves his little hand towards everyone.
Mrs. Peterson: Say goodnight, Antonio.
ER Staff(smiling): Goodnight, Antonio. Bye bye.
Mrs. Peterson carried the baby and his small oxygen tank into the nursery as Jing-Mei came out of the kitchen with a big sheet birthday cake with seven lit candles. As soon as Antonio was settled in his nursery with his intercom on and his mobile going, Mrs. Peterson went back in the dining room, everyone started to sing Happy Birthday to Rusty. Mr. Santini held Rusty in his arms translating the song for him and before they were done singing, Rusty bent over and blew the candles out. Everyone wondered the same thing so Mr. Santini asked the birthday boy.
Mr. Santini: Did you make a wish?
Rusty: Yes.
Mr. Santini nodded to everyone and Rusty indicated that he wanted to be put down. Once Mr. Santini released him, he walked over to china cabinet and lifted up a picture of Dave.
Rusty: Home. Better.
Mr. Santini: He said home, better.
Rusty's wish became clear to everyone at that moment. After serving cake and ice cream to everyone it was time for Rusty to open up his presents. From Abby he got some coloring books, Mark and Elizabeth got him an art set. Peter and Cleo gave him a radio and alarm clock. Kerry gave him some army men and Carter got him a train set. Haleh brought him a skateboard. Luka brought him some English/ Italian children's books.
Luka: Those kind of books helped me when I was starting to learn English.
Mr. Santini: They certainly will come in handy when we start our lessons, huh.
Then he opened up his presents from Jing-Mei and Dave. He got a lot of clothes and a race track and cars. But like any little boy, he was slightly disappointed when there weren't more toys.
Jing-Mei: What are you looking for more presents?
Mr. Santini translates and Rusty's nods.
Jing-Mei(shakes her head): Sorry, but that's all.
Rusty drops his head obviously upset when Jing-Mei smiles at him.
Jing-Mei: Well, there might be one more present around here somewhere. Let me look.
Mr. Santini translates and Rusty's mood changes. Jing-Mei goes into the kitchen and within a few moments comes out with Rusty's last present.
Jing-Mei: Here you go, Birthday boy.
Rusty's face lights up when Jing-Mei hands him his new puppy.
Rusty: Puppy, puppy!!
Everyone admires it and comes over to Rusty and pets his little German shepherd mix.
Elizabeth: I think he likes his presents, all of them. What made you get him a puppy?
Jing-Mei: Well, I thought it would be a good companion to him until he can go to school and make some friends.
As the party continues, the phone rings. Jing-Mei answers it.
Jing-Mei: Hello.
To be continued. Please read and review.