The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 63
Jing-Mei: Captain, he remembers being in the trunk of a car.
Capt. Amos walks back over to Malucci and sits down.
Capt. Amos: Son, can you remember the make of the car you were put in?
Dave thinks but just can't remember.
Capt. Amos: Is there anything else you can remember about the car?
Jing-Mei: Think hard, baby. This is important.
Before Dave can answer, Carter walks in the door.
Carter: How's it going?
Jing-Mei: Dave is having another memory break through.
All three stare at Dave as he gets a peculiar look on his face and starts to sniff.
Jing-Mei: Does something smell, Dave?
He tries to shake it off but isn't able to. He sinks down into the bed and closes his eyes.
Jing-Mei: Don't give up now, Dave. You've come too far. Please Dave, open your eyes and try to remember.
Dave sits up and looks around the room with that same weird look on his face. He looks down at his blanket and bunches it up in his hand and puts it to his face.
Capt. Amos: Got it. Dr. Malucci was chloroformed when he was grabbed...
Jing-Mei: And probably put in the trunk of another car.
Carter: Looks like we're getting closer.
Capt. Amos: But not close enough. Dave's trying but actually he's not telling us anything that we didn't already know.
Carter: Small steps. At least, he does remember that day.
Jing-Mei: Maybe we should stop here...
Carter: But you do want Dave to remember, don't you?
Jing-Mei: You know that I do. It's just whatever they did to Dave in that hangar was traumatic just to assume by his massive injuries. To hear it told first hand by Dave, I don't know if I'm ready for that and I know that Dave isn't able to deal with it now. Let's just wait until he has a psyche consult. Have someone here who is trained in dealing with traumatized patients.
Capt. Amos: Well, I won't push right now...
Capt. Amos' radio starts blaring and Dave grabs his ears. On that note, Capt. Amos takes his radio outside.
Capt. Amos: Alright, I've got to go now anyway. If he remembers anything, call me.
Jing-Mei: I will.
Capt. Amos leaves the room and Dave relaxes in bed.
Jing-Mei: So what brings you up here, John?
Carter: I thought I would start the process in getting you two married. The thirty day deadline that the INS has given you is almost up. I'm going to take some of Dave's blood and yours too if you want me to.
Jing-Mei: Yeah sure. I guess I need to make some plans for our marriage--like set a date, speak with Father Chip, the hospital chaplain and get the marriage license.
Even though Dave protests over being stuck again with another needle, he allows Carter to take his blood and Jing-Mei kisses Dave and lets him get some sleep before he goes down to physical therapy. Carter and Jing-Mei head down to the ER.
Jing-Mei had returned to the hospital after one of her breaks. She checked back in at the admit desk and started skimming the board.
Jing-Mei: Let's see. Sore throat in exam 1; Nickel in the ear in exam 2; Inflamed hemorrhoids in trauma 3, huh, that's a patient that Dave would have been handling if he were here.
Kerry: There's a hand that needs to be sutured up if you want that.
Jing-Mei: Sure, why not.
Jing-Mei enters sutures and sees a young, blond haired man not a day over 30 sitting in the seat holding a blood-covered towel over his wound. Jing-Mei walks in with the chart that was hanging on the door outside.
Jing-Mei: Okay, uh Mr. Pincard....
Mr. Pincard: It's Raymond to you, sweet thing.
Jing-Mei: Yeah right. Uh Mr. Pincard... it says here on your chart that you put your hand through a plate glass window. Why would you do that?
Jing-Mei started taking out the anesthetic to numb the wound and the needle and sutures to close it.
Jing-Mei: Hum, you are probably going to need about 15-18 stitches in that. Can you make a fist for me?
Mr. Pincard started opening and closing his hand and in the process flexed one of his muscles. Then he smiled at Jing-Mei when he realized that she noticed his gesture.
Jing-Mei: Nice, very nice. Uh, I mean good. Now, wiggle your fingers for me.
Mr. Pincard did as the doctor told him and grinned knowing that his doctor was attracted to him. Jing-Mei stared at the strong, yet bloody hand that was before her. After a few seconds, Mr. Pincard spoke which brought Jing-Mei out of her trance.
Mr. Pincard: So what do you think, doc?
Jing-Mei: Probably no nerve or major tissue damage, but you should still see a plastic surgeon anyway. This injury will definitely leave a scar.
Mr. Pincard: That's not what I meant, but I'll think about the plastic surgeon idea especially if it means I get to see you again.
Jing-Mei: So, you never told me why you put your hand through a window in the first place.
Mr. Pincard: Guy made me angry. See, this waitress I kind of like in a restaurant was getting her ass slapped by this perverted maggot so, being the gentleman that I am, I felt it my duty to stop it. We got into an altercation and my hand went through the window.
Jing-Mei: Who won?
Mr. Pincard: Well, when I continued to hit him, even with my hand gushing blood he kind backed off. I guess he won't be bothering that waitress anymore.
Jing-Mei: Is she going out with you now after you stopped that guy from coming on to her?
Mr. Pincard: Actually, she slapped my face and said not to ever come back in there again. She wasn't the kind of girl who gets picked up while working.
Jing-Mei: Sorry.
Mr. Pincard: Hey, that's okay. If at first you don't succeed... besides there are a lot more women out there... you, for example. I don't see a ring on your finger so how about you and I hook up after you get off tonight.
Jing-Mei: I have a code of ethics to follow which keeps me from dating patients besides I already have a boyfriend.
Mr. Pincard: A serious boyfriend?
Jing-Mei: Yes, we're engaged.
Mr. Pincard: He can't be much of a boyfriend if he can't buy you a ring.
Jing-Mei: He is a very great guy and not that it matters but I do have an engagement ring I just don't wear... wait a minute, why am I even discussing this with you. It's really none of your business.
Mr. Pincard: You're right but I'm just interested in what I'm missing out on.
Jing-Mei: Look, hold your hand still. This will probably sting a bit.
She injects the anesthetic into his wounded hand. He flinches back but never takes his eyes off her.
Mr. Pincard: Ouch. Listen, if things don't work out for you and your boyfriend I'll leave you my number. Use it.
Jing-Mei: Wait right there. I'll let that get numb and be back in to stitch you up.
Jing-Mei walks out of sutures, leans against the wall, wipes her brow and sighs.
Jing-Mei(to herself): Maybe, it is about time I started wearing the ring on a regular basis so that guys would realize that I am spoken for.
Jing-Mei signs out her patients for the day and decides to go down and chat with the hospital chaplain. She enters the chapel and sees Father Chip picking up bibles from the pews.
Jing-Mei: Excuse me Father, do you have a moment?
Father Chip: Dr. Chen sure. Please have a seat.
Jing-Mei and the chaplain sit in a pew and neither knows where to begin. Finally, the chaplain breaks the silence.
Father Chip: So, how is Dr. Malucci doing? I haven't been up there to see him as much as I would like to. He was one doctor I could always count on being here for Sunday mass. Since his attack, he hasn't been here. I miss him. When he was moved to his private room, his doctors gave me permission to administer holy communion to him, but sometimes I get so flogged down here I don't get up there to him.
Jing-Mei: Dave is coming along--slowly. I never knew that Dave would come to mass here. I never would have thought that he was that religious.
Father Chip: He's Italian, right.
Jing-Mei nods. The chaplain returns it with a half-smile.
Father Chip: You would find that a lot of Italians are very religious even if they don't show it. Anyway, what did you want to speak to me about?
Jing-Mei: Sorry, I'm taking up your time. You know that Dave and I are getting married.
Father Chip: I do know that he was on his way back from getting you an engagement ring when that unspeakable, horrible thing happened to him.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, well, we are getting married and soon. We have to.
Father Chip(looking Jing-Mei up and down): Really?
Jing-Mei: It's not what you think. The INS has been threatening to deport Dave and they have given us their blessing for us to get married but we have to do it before Dave's original deadline is up. That is next week. I was wondering if you could perform our marriage ceremony.
Father Chip: I would be honored. When would you like to do it?
Jing-Mei: If you're free early next week. I have to bring the baby in to see the pediatrician so it would be perfect. Our baby will be able to attend his parent's wedding. It's going to be a small ceremony for now. Once Dave is better we will have a bigger wedding ceremony, but this will do for now.
Father Chip: When's the baby's appointment?
Jing-Mei: Tuesday at 9:45 am.
Father Chip: Let me check my schedule.
Father Chip gets up and walks into his office. He returns a minute or so later with a book. He looks it over.
Father Chip: I will be free around 12:30 on Tuesday, how's that?
Jing-Mei: Great. That will work.
Father Chip: What about on your end? Have you taken care of everything you need to?
Jing-Mei: Dave and I had our blood tests. That was the easy part. I working on getting our marriage license. Since Dave isn't able to get to City Hall and sign it himself, the authorities, knowing Dave's medical status, have insisted that a social worker pay a visit to Dave and make sure he understands what we are doing. The social worker will be seeing Dave this Thursday so that should fit in perfectly for a Tuesday afternoon wedding.
Jing-Mei and the chaplain continue to talk for a short time when Jing-Mei glances at her watch.
Jing-Mei: Excuse me Father, but Dave should be in physical therapy now and I want to be there with him. Thank you, Father.
Father Chip: You are quite welcomed. If there is anything else I could do for you, please let me know.
Jing-Mei goes down into the physical therapy room and sees Dave with his therapist, Martin. She stands in the background and watches, not to disturb them.
Dave is still determined not to let anyone touch him. He's fighting Martin as much as possible but Martin isn't giving in. Martin grabs at Dave's braced legs and one at a time lifts them up and bends them.
Martin: You are not going to get your way this time, Dr. Malucci. Believe me, I am not enjoying this anymore than you. In fact, I can't wait until you get transferred out of here so I won't have to deal with you.
Jing-Mei's heart goes out to Dave but knows that Dave needs a strong hand and someone who is not going to back down. She just wishes he wouldn't talk that way to her fiance. As much as she would like to go over there and give Martin a piece of her mind, she holds her tongue and stays where she is.
After another 15 minutes of leg lifts, Martin lifts Dave into his wheelchair and pushes him over to the parallel bars. He puts the brakes on the chair, gets behind Dave and wraps his arms around Dave. Dave starts swinging his right arm at him and tries to swing his left but isn't able to lift it very high much less move it with any force. Martin grabs Dave in a sort of bear hug move, immoblizing Dave's arms to his side. Dave starts to screech out in protest when Martin, who's now gripping Dave around his arms and body with one arm, places his free hand over Dave's mouth to calm him down and silencing Dave's groans. No longer able to take the treatment that Dave is receiving, Jing-Mei enters the room with fire in her eyes.
Jing-Mei: What the hell do you think you are doing to him?!!
Martin: Disciplining, my unruly patient.
Jing-Mei: Bullshit! That's abuse...NOW LET HIM GO!!
Hearing the commotion, Dr. Newman steps out of his office and walks over to the threesome.
Dr. Newman: What is going on out here!
Martin: Just controlling my patient before he hurts himself.
Jing-Mei: You are not controlling him, if anything you are making matters worse. Hell, Dave is scared to death, can't you see that?
Martin: I'm just trying to help him walk again. That's what I'm here for, isn't it?
Jing-Mei: Dave doesn't like you. If you want him to cooperate then you need someone he trusts to help. Like me.
Dave continues to squirm from Martin's tight grasp.
Dr. Newman: Can you spare some time, Dr. Chen?
Jing-Mei: Yes. I'm off duty. I have all the time in the world to help my fiance with his therapy.
Dr. Newman: Alright, then it's settled. Now, please keep it down out here. I have work to do in my office.
Dr. Newman re-enters his office and Jing-Mei continues to give Martin a death look.
Jing-Mei: You can release him, now.
Martin looks at his panicked patient, then at Jing-Mei and then back at Dave.
Martin: Alright Doc Dave, you calm down and keep that big yap of yours shut, I'll take my hand off your mouth. Deal.
Jing-Mei runs her hand down the sweat-covered side of Dave's face and he relaxes. Martin turns him loose. Dave drops his head down staring at the floor, embarrassed about how he acted in front of her.
Jing-Mei: Martin, give us a couple of minutes.
Martin steps away and Jing-Mei kneels down to look at Dave in his eyes. She grabs his chin in her hand and raises his head up. After talking with him for a few minutes, she waves Martin back over. Between the two of them, they lift Dave out of the wheelchair and position him between the parallel bars. Martin supports Dave's weight while Jing-Mei helps maneuver his legs and feet. After one complete trip down and back up the bars, they try another trip. This time Martin, unaware to Jing-Mei, lets go of Dave and he immediately falls to the floor and starts moving about in pain. Stunned, Jing-Mei instantly runs to her fiance's side and checks his IV'S, ventilator tube and looks for any obvious injury.
Jing-Mei: Why in the hell did you let him go?!! You know damn straight that he isn't able to support himself, after all these are kind of like his first steps since his attack. Dave, sweetheart, are you alright?(she looks Dave over to access his condition)
Martin: He could walk if he wanted too. As long as you baby him the less he's got to do for himself.
Jing-Mei: He is only just starting physic...I don't even know why I'm bothering to discuss this with you. Just help me get him back in his wheelchair.
Martin: His session isn't over with yet.
Jing-Mei: Yes, it is. At least, as far as I'm concerned. He's exhausted and I have to get him back to his room and examine him to make sure no permanent injury was done to him.
Martin(shrugs): Whatever.
Martin and Jing-Mei put Dave in his chair and she pushes him out of the therapy room and takes him back up to his room. On the way she tells him about her talk with Father Chip and the visit from the social worker to expect.
Once back in his room, Jing-Mei heads out of the room to find an orderly to help her get Dave back into bed. Before she leaves the room, Luka enters.
Luka: I was in here earlier but the room was empty.
Jing-Mei: We were down in physical therapy. Uh, could you help me get him back into bed?
Luka: Sure, no problem. Physical therapy, huh. So, how'd we do, Dr. Dave?
Luka puts his file down on the table and he and Jing-Mei lift Dave out of the chair and put him in the bed. Dave leans over the bed and gives the wheelchair and angry shove causing it to roll slightly before tipping over.
Jing-Mei: Not a good day, Luka.
Luka: Well, they will get better.
Luka picks the wheelchair up and puts it over next to Dave's bed. Again Dave pushes the chair away.
Luka: What's the matter with him?
Jing-Mei: He's frustrated. He just wants to get better. Never mind him. He'll sulk for awhile than get over it. He always does. Was there something you needed, Luka?
Luka: Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I pulled an x-ray on one of your patients that the radiologist flagged. I wanted to show it to you before you leave for the night.
Jing-Mei and Luka exit Dave's room and head over to a light board. They study the x-ray.
Jing-Mei: I better get down there and confront the patient.
Luka: But you're off. Go spend time with Malucci. He needs you now. I'll take this patient, if you want.
Jing-Mei: I couldn't ask you to do that. That's not fair.
Luka: You aren't asking me. I'm offering. Besides, I'm not off for another four hours. I can still monitor the patient while I'm on duty.
Jing-Mei: Thank you Luka. I owe you one.
Luka heads back down to the ER as Jing-Mei goes back to Dave's room. As she heads back, she runs into a patient from earlier.
Mr. Pincard: Long time no see, Dr. Chen.
Jing-Mei: Mr. Pincard, you're still here.
Mr. Pincard: I decided to take your advice and see a plastic surgeon. I didn't expect to run into you up here.
Jing-Mei: This is my stop. I'm here visiting.
Mr. Pincard: One of your patients?
Jing-Mei: No, actually my fiance.
Jing-Mei enters Dave's room and Mr. Pincard follows her in.
Jing-Mei: Um Mr. Pincard, is there something I can do for you?
Mr. Pincard: No, not really. I'm just curious about this fiance of yours. I'd like to meet the guy who I'm losing out to for you.
Jing-Mei walks over to Dave's bed, closely followed by Mr. Pincard.
Jing-Mei(starting to feel real uneasy): He's sleeping right now. Maybe, some other time. You'll have to come back.
Jing-Mei walks past Mr. Pincard to escort him out when he grabs her from behind and pulls her over to Dave's bed. She lets out a small scream not loud enough for anyone outside the room to here but waking Dave up and Mr. Pincard places a knife to Dave's throat.
Mr. Pincard: Scream bitch, and I'll slit his throat!
To be continued. Please read and review.