***
Officer Donnehy sighed heavily and made his way to the elderly couple in the waiting area of the Medical Center. They had nearly run over a man in the middle of the highway a half hour prior and brought the man here. "Mr. and Mrs. Mullins, why did you bring the victim to this location?"
The frail looking gray-haired woman held out what looked like a credit card to the officer. "He had this in his pocket. It was the only thing he had on him."
He took the hospital ID and looked it over. The man in the photo was definitely the man who had just been admitted to ICU under the name "John Doe". "Doctor Nicholas Kokoris," he read.
Michelle Chambers, head surgical nurse, rounded the corner at the time the officer spoke Nick's name. She looked up from the chart she was assessing to address him. "Excuse me? You're looking for Dr. Kokoris?"
Donnehy turned in her direction. "No, Ma'am. I'm not looking for him. Dr. Kokoris was in an automobile accident and was taken to ICU a short while ago."
Michelle stared at him for a moment while his words registered. Nick. Accident. ICU. "I..." she turned hastily, wanting to go to Nick right away. She turned back to the officer just as quickly, needing to know what caused the accident. "How did it happen?"
"Appears he was run off the road, Ma'am. We're searching the area now."
"Thank you." She headed to the elevator, stopping at the Nurses' Station only long enough to leave the chart she was carrying.
She paced the elevator during its slow ascent. Her mind played through a hundred different scenarios, anticipating the extent of Nick's injuries. She tapped her foot in annoyance, as if the effort would make the elevator move faster. Her mind drifted back to that morning. Nick had the day off, so he was in no hurry to move from the bed. She, on the other hand, did not have that luxury. As had become their custom, she was up and ready to head out the door without disturbing him. He had surprised her, though, and 'tackled' her when she passed by the bed. Suffice to say, she had to redress by the time they were through. What if he's...no, no, no...don't think it!, she cried silently, burying her face in her hands.
"Finally," Michelle commented sarcastically, wiping away the tears that had surfaced. She stepped from the elevator and made her way directly to the ICU Nurses' Station. "Where is he?"
The petite brunette behind the counter didn't have to ask to whom Michelle referred, she had seen Dr. Kokoris taken to ICU. She had even checked his vitals for the attending physician, Dr. Matt Slingerland. "ICU-3" she replied, pointing.
Michelle patted the counter. "Thanks." Even if she had not been familiar with the layout of ICU, it would not have been difficult to find the room Nick was in. Several of the staff milled about the room, including Dr. Jackie Collette. The perky, brunette plastic surgeon stood just inside the door, watching intently as Matt checked Nick's stats. When she approached them, they moved aside for her. Her eyes widened in horror seeing Nick hooked up to the various monitors. Her eyes traveled the length of the IV tubes that protruded from his wrist and the oxygen tube fastened under his nose. His head was bandaged, his face bruised, and his ribs were wrapped tightly.
"He's resting, Michelle. He's got one hard head," Matt commented with a chuckle. "Although he lost some blood, it wasn't a dangerous amount. His vitals are improving and should be able to move out of ICU soon, if they continue to do so."
Michelle nodded, listening intently. She moved to Nick's side and took his hand gently into hers. "Injuries?"
"Head trauma was the worst. Looks like he smacked his head a good one. Concussion. We're monitoring him closely. He also sustained a couple cracked ribs from the steering wheel, but nothing life threatening." Matt patted Michelle's arm lightly. "He's going to be fine, Shel."
Michelle nodded and offered him a halfhearted smile.
"I'll be around if you need anything," Jackie offered genuinely from her vantage point in the doorway. "In the meantime, I'll make sure you're taken off the duty roster."
"Thanks, Jackie." There was no way she could go back to work and concentrate on the patients. Her thoughts were only for Nick. She was completely thrown by how frail he looked lying in the hospital bed. "I couldn't leave him now, even if I wanted to."
"Fine," Matt acknowledged. "You take it easy, then. You know as well as I do it may take awhile for him to wake up."
"I know, Matt. I just need to sit here," she explained as she tenderly stroked the back of Nick's hand.
***
An annoying thing, being locked up in a disgustingly tiny six-by-six cell for the remainder of ones life, Aristos Patriaka thought while washing his face in the tiny sink. He sighed heavily, noticing the toilet that was just inches from the sink. He repeatedly felt degraded by using the facilities while the guards paced back and forth in front of his cell. He snatched angrily at the towel that hung on a hook next to the mirror and swiped it over his face before scowling at the image in the mirror. He would pay! That bastard would pay!
"Let's go, Patriaka," a guard demanded, unlocking the cell door and waiting impatiently for the aging, bald, fat man to exit the small room. "You have a visitor."
Patriaka snorted. "Why else would I be seeing your lovely disposition before our noon meal?"
"Shut up and move," the guard barked, irritated.
Patriaka was led to the small visiting area. "Number seven," the guard growled, indicating in which little cubby his visitor was waiting. Patriaka sat in the undersized cubicle, snatched the receiver from its hook, and held it to his ear. Finally making eye contact with the person who waited on the other side of the glass divider, he said quietly, "Always nice to see you, Rudolf."
"And you, sir," Rudolf answered.
Patriaka smiled. Rudolf was not much to look at. Tall and gangly, the man had no muscle to speak of, but his brain was the only muscle that ever mattered. If someone was missing, or wanted to remain missing, Rudolf had a way of making him or her found. Whether they wanted to be or not. He never failed. He had been the one to find Sonny and Carly. Unfortunately, his head goon had killed the latter, bringing the wrath of Sonny Walker down upon the Patriaka Empire. Now Patriaka was looking at a lifetime behind bars with no possible parole. Sonny Walker was a free man, hidden by the Witness Protection Program of the FBI. That would not deter Rudolf. Sonny Walker would rise to the surface along with all the other scum in the pond.
"I received an interesting device today," Rudolf disclosed, his voice laced with satisfaction. "If I use it wisely, I have no doubt I will be able to create you a unique gift."
"Rudolf!" Patriaka played the game. "You are such a good friend."
"Until the end," Rudolf commented. "I do hope you will enjoy your gift."
"I'm sure I shall," Patriaka smiled sardonically. "I'm sure I shall."
***
Activity nearby stirred Frank from his drug induced sleep and his eyes fluttered open slowly. As his vision focused, he realized he did not recognize his surroundings or the people who milled around him. Where was he? A nurse hovered over him and he grasped that he was in a hospital. The throbbing in his head became all too apparent and he groaned audibly, turning the attention of those in the room toward him when they noticed he was awake.
He closed his eyes against the pain and felt a gentle squeeze as someone took his hand in theirs. He opened his eyes and focused on the person at his side, holding his hand. He gazed openly at the woman sitting beside him. Something about the honey-blonde color of her hair and her caring violet eyes tickled at the back of his brain, telling him that he knew her, but in his mind he saw nothing but blankness. Nothing. Did he even know his own name? He thought for a moment, trying to recall it, but the pain in his head protested the action vehemently. No. He did not even know his own name. Who in the hell was he? Who was she?
"Nick," Michelle whispered softly, bringing a tender hand to his cheek. "How're you feeling, baby? We've been so worried."
"Not me," Matt replied. "You're the luckiest sonofabitch I've ever met in my life."
Nick. She called me Nick. That does sound familiar. He looked up at the tall, dark haired doctor with the British accent. "Am I?" he croaked tiredly. "I don't feel so damned lucky."
"You are," Matt assured him. "How're you feeling?"
"Not too great," he commented and gazed down at the woman's hand linked with his. "Head hurts like hell and I think an elephant sat on my chest." Something felt very off about the sight of their hands twined together. He slowly pulled his away from hers and frowned. "I...do I know you?"
"Nick, honey..." She started to edge closer, but moved back when Matt drew closer to examine Nick's bandages.
"What's your name?" Matt asked softly.
"Nick...she called me Nick," he stated weakly. "Can I get something for this damn headache?"
Matt nodded. "You'll have something in a moment. Yes, your name is Nick...but you didn't know that, did you? Do you know my name?"
Frank shook his head and groaned. "No. No names, no faces, no fucking memories at all," he spat angrily. He may not know his name or the people gawking at him, but he sure as hell knew he did not like being an invalid.
Michelle frowned concernedly, not only for his apparent memory loss, but also over his uncharacteristic temper. She shrugged it off, chalking it up to the stress and trauma he had been through.
"Well, apparently you do remember how to curse," a female voice said from the doorway. "Lost your mind, have you?"
Michelle's head shot quickly toward the doorway. "Rae, really. That's not even close to being funny." She reached for Nick's hand, but he shifted suddenly, folding his arms over his chest.
Frank frowned. Again, something tickled at his brain, but when he searched for it, it was gone. "Who are you?"
"Dr. Brennan. How's he doing?" she asked, looking at Matt.
"Physically, he's doing fine. Looks like that whack to his head brought on a case of amnesia."
"He doesn't even remember you, Michelle?" Rae asked, intrigued.
"Should I remember you?" he questioned, locking eyes with the pretty blonde.
Michelle smiled softly and patted his arm. "You will, just give it time." She hoped she gave the appearance of strength and support, because inside she felt like she was falling apart. Amnesia could last minutes, hours, days...forever. The best she could do was to not panic and upset Nick more than he was.
"You might want to contact his family...seeing them might help bring his memory back," Rae suggested helpfully. No matter their past, she felt honor bound to give Nick her support.
"I'll call his cousin," Michelle agreed, turning her attention back to Nick. "Wouldn't it be nice to see him and his family again?"
Frank shrugged, but nodded anyway. He had no idea who she was talking about, but he decided not to point that fact out. Instead, he rested back into the pillow and closed his eyes. Sleep. Sleep would make it all go away--the pain and lack of memory. Yes, sleep was the answer.
***
To be continued...