Recovery
Part 42
A/N:
-Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.
-It's implied that Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson are using an Italian/English dictionary to communicate with Rusty. However, they're scrambling through the book so they're really not talking as fast as it appears.
Vincenzio: You gonna fucking tell me or do I have to goddamn guess.
Dr. Fallone: You can try to but you won't be able to.
Vincenzio: I just got back from a long trip. I'm in no mood for this. So either tell me or I'll beat it out of you next time I see your shit face.
Dr. Fallone: Fine. Brace yourself. It's your fucking kid, Dave.
Vincenzio's jaw drops and he remains speechless while Dr. Fallone continues to talk to him through the phone.
Dr. Fallone: Did you hear me? Are you there?
Vincenzio: That miserable piece of... that sorry excuse for life is still fucking alive. What the hell does it take to kill him.
Dr. Fallone: You want me to off him.
Vincenzio: No, not just yet. I may have other plans for him. Did he recognize you?
Dr. Fallone: I doubt it. Remember, he's never seen me. The only time we meet was in the hangar and he was blindfolded at the time.
Vincenzio: You fucking better hope to hell he doesn't remember you. For now, just keep an eye on him and I want daily reports of his fucking progress.
Later that day, Dr. Fallone makes his first visit with his new patient with Dr. Romano in tow. Although, Erik's fever has come down slightly, he is still in great pain. Jing-Mei joins the two doctors for the initial exam of Erik. Once they are in the room, Dr. Romano introduces Dr. Fallone to Erik causing Erik to shake and struggle to get away from his newest doctor. The closer the doctor comes the more aggressive Erik becomes until finally Dr. Fallone pulls back away from Dave. Dave continues to resist as Dr. Romano tries to put Dave in the restraints. Jing-Mei bends down to Dave's eye level to calm him down. Dave fights them by kicking and screaming.
Romano: Nurse, get me some haldol!!
Jing-Mei: Wait Dr. Romano, please don't sedate him again. Let me try to make him comfortable. (pause) Dave, what's wrong? The doctors only want to examine you so they can find the best way to treat you.
Dave: Nnnno, sssteal kkkidney!
Dave's face was soaked in tears and sweat. Jing-Mei saw the absolute terror on Dave's face. She stroked his head but he pulled away. He slammed his face into the pillow and continued to scream.
Jing-Mei: Dave, no one is going to steal your kidney. I promise you.
Tired of waiting for Dave to settle down, Romano tranquilized Dave himself.
Jing-Mei: Why the hell did you do that?! Can't you see that he's scared to death?
Romano: We are busy doctors, Dr. Chen. We don't have all day to wait until your husband gets over his temper tantrum. Now, Dr. Fallone shall we continue.
Dr. Fallone walked back over to Dave, still shaking over Dave's hysterical statement. Dave, who was unconscious was laying on his stomach with his hands tied in restraints. Romano lifts up the back of Dave's gown revealing the scars from his transplant, amongst other scars. Dr. Fallone walked over and pointed to the scars and explained that if they did another transplant, how they would cut Dave not to disturb any of his scar tissue. Then Dr. Fallone showed them a diagram of the kidney and surrounding muscle.
Dr. Fallone: As long as we follow the same incision that was made from the first transplant and not cut directly on top of the same wound we won't have to worry about infection. Of course, the damage to the surrounding muscle from the sternal saw that was used on his other kidney could become re-infected.
Jing-Mei raises an suspicious eyebrow towards Dr. Fallone that goes unnoticed.
A few more pokes and probes at Dave's back wounds and the doctors are finished. They untie Dave and turn him on his back again.
Romano: Now, was that so difficult? I think you made the job much harder than it had to be.
Jing-Mei: Can't help it. I worry about him so much. (pause) Dr. Romano, do you have one more moment, I'd like a word with you.
Romano: I have a meeting with Dr. Anspaugh. This can wait until later. Excuse me.
Drs. Romano and Fallone leave Jing-Mei with her unconscious husband. Later that day, Jing-Mei stops by to visit Dave before leaving to pick Rusty up from school. Dave is sitting up in bed, rubbing his back. Jing-Mei walks over to Dave with sorrow in her eyes. Dave gives her damned look.
Jing-Mei: I'm so sorry Dave. I never meant for anyone to hurt you but they just wanted to examine you.
Dave stares at her angrily and remains silent.
Jing-Mei: Dave, what did you mean when you said that they were trying to steal your kidney? What exactly do you know about your kidneys?
Dave: Ggone. Ttaken. Ssstole. Cccut oout. Hhhurt.
Jing-Mei: When you were first brought in here, one of your kidneys were so badly damaged that they removed it and you got a kidney transplant. They didn't steal your kidney, just replaced it.
Dave: Kkkkidney ssstole ooone.
Jing-Mei didn't quite know what to say to that she was so stunned.
Jing-Mei: You are trying to tell me something, aren't you Dave?
Dave nods. Jing-Mei grabs his hand and squeezes it.
Jing-Mei: Whatever is wrong, just tell me. I'll make sure your safe.
As Dave opens his mouth, Dr. Fallone walks in and he quickly clamps his mouth shut. Dave sinks into his bed. Realizing that Dave isn't going to say anything with this strange doctor in his room, Jing-Mei changes the subject.
Dr. Fallone: Well, you're finally awake. How are you feeling, Dr. Malucci?
Dave refuses to speak, so Jing-Mei speaks up.
Jing-Mei: His back is sore. I guess it's from all that poking around you did.
Dr. Fallone: It was necessary. I didn't mean to put so much pressure on the wound.
Dave starts tossing and turning in bed, trying not to pay attention to the doctor. Jing-Mei notices Dave's uneasy feeling around Dr. Fallone.
Jing-Mei: Uh, I think Dave is getting restless. I was just going to take him out for a ride around the halls.
Jing-Mei pushes a wheelchair over to Dave's bed which he quickly pushes away.
Jing-Mei: Dave, what is it. Don't you want to go out into the halls and maybe down in the ER to visit your friends.
Dave: Nnno, cchair. Wwwalk.
Dr. Fallone's beeper goes off.
Dr. Fallone: Excuse me, I just wanted to see if he was alright.
Dr. Fallone leaves the room. Dave pulls himself back up into a seated position.
Jing-Mei: Dave, I know you are getting tired of being in that wheelchair, but your legs are still weak. You need to exercise them more before you try to walk on them unassisted.
Jing-Mei pushes the chair over to Dave and Dave continues to push it away, getting more and more frustrated each time.
Jing-Mei: Dave, stop that!
Dave: Wwwalk!!
Jing-Mei: Dave, please don't fight me on this. Now, if you do try to walk on your own and your legs can't support you, you'll fall and hurt them causing even more damage to them and then you'll be right back where you started. Please, just give therapy a little more time. It'll be worth it in the long run, I promise you.
Dave gives in and between Jing-Mei and one of his guards they place him in the wheelchair and she takes him for a ride through the hospital halls. While waiting for the elevator, they run into Dr. Legaspi.
Dr. Legaspi: Hey, you two. You're certainly looking better Dave.
Jing-Mei: Well, he's still on dialysis most of the day and his legs are weak but he's getting better everyday. I'm glad we ran into you.
Dr. Legaspi: Really, that's not something I hear a lot of.
Jing-Mei: When do you think we could set up another session for Dave. I think he has more to tell us... that he needs to get out.
Dr. Legaspi: Let me check my schedule and I'll get back to you. Going up.
Jing-Mei: Actually, down to the ER. Thank you, Dr. Legaspi.
Dr. Legaspi gets on an elevator going up and a few minutes later Jing-Mei and Dave get on the next elevator going down and head into the ER to chat with their co-workers.
Down in the ER, everyone remarks how much better Dave looks and promises to help him with his therapy whenever they get the chance. Dave, who is still very jumpy and nervous around a group of people, tries to relax amongst the ER staff and fit in but no matter how hard he tries to he's still an outsider. He sits in his wheelchair and watches the others do their job and realizes he used to do this same work and now he'll probably never do it again. Unable to stand watching the work flow anymore, he insists on going back up to his room. Jing-Mei says goodbye and pushes Dave's wheelchair up to the elevator.
Jing-Mei helps Dave out of his wheelchair and into bed.
Jing-Mei: Well, that was a nice visit downstairs, don't you think so?
Dave remains silent.
Jing-Mei: What's the matter, Dave?
Dave: Eeerik, mmme Eeerik.
Jing-Mei: No, you're not. You're Dave. Not Erik.
Dave starts getting emotional and shaking his head.
Dave: Iiii Eeerik!! Iiii Eeeeri....
Jing-Mei grabs his face and tries to settle him down.
Jing-Mei: Dave, listen...listen to me. We only pretended you're name was Erik to keep you safe. We can't do that now, so we are going back to calling you Dave. I thought you understood that?
Dave looks at her scared and confused.
Jing-Mei: You didn't, did you? (pause) I'm sorry about that. That's definitely our fault. We should have explained it better. You're real name is Dr. Dave Malucci and you use to be a resident down in this ER before you were attacked. I think you had a feeling about your doctoring when we were down in the ER. I saw the way you were looking at everyone working and I saw the hurt look on your face when you couldn't help.
Dave nods and then drops his soaked face down to the floor.
Jing-Mei: You know, you can still be a doctor if you want to. It may take a little time to readjust with your new limitations but I think you'll make it. After all, Dr. Dave can do anything he puts his mind to if he really wants to.
Dave: Ddddr. Eeeerik.
Jing-Mei sighs.
Jing-Mei: Oh boy, what have we done?
The following day, while at work Jing-Mei runs into Romano and he gives her some news, not the news she was looking for but at least it was good.
Romano: I meant to call you last night, but it happened so quickly. Henrietta had the pups.
Jing-Mei: How many?
Romano: Five. Three boys and two girls. You will be bringing the father over to do his part.
Jing-Mei: Just let me know when visiting hours are and I will have Rascal and both my boys over there. Wait until they hear the news.
The next few days past with Dave still referring to himself as Erik and when anyone corrected him he would yell at them his new identity---Erik.
Jing-Mei brought Rusty, Antonio and Mrs. Peterson over to visit with Dave. He sat in his bed and smiled at his kids but said nothing. It was the first time Mrs. Peterson saw Dave since she found out that he was alive. Although, Dave tried to be polite to the older lady, he wasn't thrilled with her kissing or even touching him. Jing-Mei sat the boys on the end of Dave's bed with a table between them and some crayons and paper to draw. Rusty was showing Antonio how to hold the crayon correctly but he just basically scribbled on the paper while Rusty drew a picture.
With the boys occupied, Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson tried to cheer up Dave.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, you certainly look alot better than the last time I saw you and I can see why Dr. Chen is so crazy about you. You are very handsome.
Mrs. Peterson squeezed Dave's cheek and he swatted her hand away.
Jing-Mei: Dave! That wasn't nice!
Mrs. Peterson: It's alright, Dr. Chen. Grant didn't like it either. Must be a guy thing.
Dave swung his head around to face Mrs. Peterson.
Dave: Gggrant? (pointing at himself) Eeerik.
Jing-Mei: She wasn't talking about you.
Mrs. Peterson stared at all the machines hooked into Dave.
Mrs. Peterson: How's his kidney doing?
Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson walk to the other side of the room to talk.
Jing-Mei: So far, his kidney is holding up. His nephrologist, Dr. Fallone, said that the surgery would be tricky because of all of Dave's scar tissue. He told me that if they can stabilize the kidney then Dave would only need daily dialysis treatments and not be hooked up on it all day, everyday. Then again I'm not so sure I like this doctor. Dave isn't responding to him at all, in fact he hates him.
Dr. Romano walked into the room and stood with the two ladies.
Dr. Romano: Way too many visitors, here! Somebody's going to have to leave.
Mrs. Peterson: I will.
Jing-Mei: That's alright. I promised to take the boys over to see the puppies, if that's okay Dr. Romano?
Romano: You had better get over there soon---with your dog. By the way, Dr. Chen you wanted to have a chat before?
Jing-Mei: Actually, just a question. Did you tell Dr. Fallone how Dave's kidney was removed?
Romano: Yeah, he read the records he knows he had a transplant before.
Jing-Mei: No, I mean the kidney that was removed in the hangar.
Romano: Didn't see any reason to. Is that it?
Jing-Mei: Uh, yeah. That's what I thought.
Romano: Now, will you please call your rugrats off of my patient so I can do my job.
Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson turn and look at Dave. Rusty and Antonio are up closer to Dave, with their drawings. The ladies walk over to them.
Rusty: Look papa. See what I draw.
Dave: Pppretty pppicture.
Both Romano and Mrs. Peterson looked at Dave.
Jing-Mei: Dave, can understand and speak Italian. It's his first language after all.
Jing-Mei takes a look at the picture.
Jing-Mei: What did you draw, Rusty?
Rusty starts pointing at the picture.
Rusty: That me, you, Grandma Peterson, Tonio, Rascal, papa---mama, Aunt Sophie and Uncle Niclas.
When Jing-Mei looked at the picture closer, she noticed that where Rusty pointed to his mama, Sophie and Nicholas their seemed to be mounds of dirt. She knew that he indicated that they were dead and not coming back. She finally knew for sure that he understood the difference between life and death.
Jing-Mei: That's very pretty, Rusty.
Then she noticed that Dave had his eyes fixed on Antonio, still scribbling on his paper. Dave reached for one of the crayons on the table and watched as Antonio maneuvered his crayon around the paper. He tried to position the crayon the same way. Dave smiled as his crayon made contact with the paper which gave Jing-Mei an idea.
Jing-Mei: Alright boys, let's go. The doctor needs to examine papa. We need to drop Mrs. Peterson off at the house and pick up Rascal to go to visit his children. Give papa a kiss.
Dave was so involved with scribbling on the paper and trying to gain control of the crayon without dropping it, he didn't seem to notice the boys kiss his cheek.
Later at Romano's house, Jing-Mei, Rascal and the boys were escorted in by the maid and over to Henrietta and the pups. Rusty instantly wanted to pick the pups up, but Jing-Mei stopped him.
Jing-Mei: No, no Rusty. You can't touch them yet. The mommy dog wouldn't like it if they started to smell like a human...
Rusty: I clean. I took bath.
Jing-Mei: It doesn't matter. If the puppy smells too much like a person than the mommy won't feed it. You don't want that now.
Rusty shook his head and backed away. Rascal snuggled in with his new family. Antonio and Rusty stroked the two bigger dogs and smiled.
Jing-Mei: Which puppy do you want, Rusty?
Rusty examined the five pups for a few minutes, but he seemed fixed on the smallest of the litter.
Rusty(pointing): That one so tiny, Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei: He looks like the runt of the group.
Rusty: Runt?
Jing-Mei: The smallest one.
Rusty: He's pushed all the way over. He can't eat. Rascal, help you son.
Rascal pushes the runt over until he is able to grab and suckle on of Henrietta's nipples.
Rusty: That better. Mama Jing, the pups were born at same time---are they twins?
Jing-Mei: Not exactly twins. I mean I guess quintuplets-but I guess in a sense you can say---yeah, they are.
Rusty: Papa and Uncle Niclas twins. I want that one.
Rusty indicates the runt of the group. Jing-Mei kneels down to Rusty.
Jing-Mei: Are you sure Rusty? There's a chance that because he is so small, that he may not live very long.
Rusty: You said papa was small baby and he is big boy now. My puppy going to be big doggy---like his papa, Rascal.
Jing-Mei: I never thought about that before but you're right. Papa was a runt at one time and now, so why the hell not. Okay, Rusty you can have that one. What will you name him?
Rusty thinks while he watches as Antonio tries to handle the pups. Rascal keeps pushing Antonio's hand away with his nose.
Rusty: No Tonio. No touch. Good Rascal--protect your puppies. Lucky---I think I'll call him Lucky.
Jing-Mei: Why Lucky?
Rusty: Because he lucky to have me and Tonio and Rascal to take care of him.
Jing-Mei: That's a good name--Lucky Malucci it is.
The next few days, Jing-Mei would go with Dave during his physical therapy sessions. She noticed as well as many of the others who helped Dave with his therapy that he was less and less enthusiastic about his therapy. Jing-Mei asked Dr. Legaspi to speak with Dave and help her try to convince him that he is Dave and not Erik, a task that she was failing miserably at. She walked in while Dr. Legaspi was having a session with Dave. She watched from the background, not to disturb the two. Dr. Legaspi noticed her presence and excused herself from Dave and walked over to Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: How's it going?
Dr. Legaspi: Not good. He's not paying any attention to me.
Jing-Mei: Why don't you put him under hypnosis again?
Dr. Legaspi: I tried but apparently there's nothing Dave needs to get off his chest so he's not being very cooperative. If he's not receptive to the hypnosis, I'm not going to get through to him.
Jing-Mei: I know there's something he was trying to tell me before but he just clammed up when I tried to get it out of him.
Dr. Legaspi: If that's the case, then he either doesn't feel it has a lot to do with his problems now, or...
Jing-Mei: I disagree with that logic. I think it has a great deal to do with his present state.
Dr. Legaspi: What makes you so sure?
Jing-Mei: I wasn't going to mention this until I was absolutely sure but Dave does not like his new nephrologist, Dr. Fallone. He freaks out whenever the guy enters his room. I didn't think much about it at first, after all Dave acts like that with everyone, until that one day he came in with Dr. Romano to examine Dave's surgical scars from his last transplant and he insisted that Dave be put on his stomach...
Dr. Legaspi: That's not so strange.
Jing-Mei: I know but then he was adamant that Dave be put in restraints during the procedure. He said it was to make sure he didn't move around during what could be a few painful moments while he was examined. Dave completely flipped. He wanted nothing to do with that and Romano had to sedate him.
Dr. Legaspi: So, he didn't want to be tied down...still not usual.
Jing-Mei: Maybe, but you didn't see the look in Dave's eyes as he was struggling. He had the fear of god in them. Anyway, there's something that Dr. Fallone said that struck a nerve with me. He said that they would have to be careful during the second transplant with all the scar tissue from the cavity where the other kidney was missing---scar tissue caused by the sternal saw blade.
Dr. Legaspi: What is so unusual about that?
Jing-Mei: I asked Dr. Romano if he told Dr. Fallone about Dave's missing kidney and the events surrounding it and he said no, that there was no reason to.
Dr. Legaspi: I don't see what you are getting at.
Jing-Mei: He mentioned the sternal saw blade. That was one piece of evidence that the police never released to the public. Except for a few of the doctors and nurses in the ER, no one knew that a sternal saw blade was used on Dave. So, the only way he could have known that fact was if he was the one who removed Dave's kidney in the first place.
Dr. Legaspi: That's one hell of an accusation but also an interesting theory. Have you told anyone else about it?
Jing-Mei: No, not yet. I want positive proof of it and Dave is the only one who can give it. That's why I need for you to get him to talk about it.
Dr. Legaspi: Provided that Dave can positively identify him. Did Dave see him during his attack?
Jing-Mei: No, as far as I know Dave was blindfolded the entire time he was kidnapped but he recognized his voice I'm sure of that. I don't understand why he won't tell me what I know he wants to about Dr. Fallone?
Dr. Legaspi: Maybe he just doesn't know the words to use to get the message across---in a conscious state. He only was able to speak freely about his childhood abuse before because of the relaxed conditions he was under---the hypnosis.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, you mean he could easily talk because he was unconscious. That occurred to me, too. So I got an idea about that. I noticed when my boys were up here the other day that he watched them draw pictures and it peaked his interest. Maybe if we can get him to draw what happened to him, then it will be easier for him to explain it---like you did with the dolls during Dave's hypnosis.
Dr. Legaspi: It's worth a shot. We can give it a try. It seems to have worked with children in therapy.
Jing-Mei: Maybe if it does work, it would explain why Dave has lost his enthusiasm for his physical therapy. He use to want to go down to the PT room and work out. Granted he didn't like his therapist at all, but he did like stretching his muscles and getting the chance to be out of his wheelchair.
Dr. Legaspi: I don't think that is the reason for Dave's lack of interest in therapy. It's like I said before, he's depressed. He's been at it for sometime now and he doesn't seem to be getting anywhere.
Jing-Mei: His orthopedist surgeon said it would be a long time before Dave was able to walk on his own, especially with his left side paralysis. I explained that to him.
Dr. Legaspi: Dave is mentally like a child---maybe a 3 or 4 year old. Now, how many 4 year olds have patience. Besides, if he doesn't get along with his therapist that is half the problem.
Jing-Mei: I'm working on getting a new physical therapist for him.
Dr. Legaspi's beeper goes off.
Dr. Legaspi: Got to go. Let me know when you want me to start working with Dave again.
Jing-Mei: The sooner the better.
A day or so goes by and Dave is still having problems in physical therapy. Dr. Legaspi comes into Dave's hospital room to consol him after one of his sessions with Martin. She starts talking to him but he pays no attention to him. She hands him a blank piece of paper and a crayon. She pulls over his table and he places the paper on them. Jing-Mei enters the room.
Jing-Mei: So, how's it going in here?
Dr. Legaspi: We've only just began. (turning to Dave) Alright Dave, I need you to remember back to the day you borrowed Dr. Carter's car. Can you do that for me?
Dave shook his head rigorously.
Jing-Mei: Dave, this is very important. I know you don't like your new doctor, Dr. Fallone and that there is something you wanted to tell me about him before. If you can't find the right words maybe you can draw a picture to give us a clue.
Dr. Legaspi: Would it be easier for you if we asked you a few questions while you drew.
Dave shrugs and picks up the crayon. His hand is shaking as he tries to remember how Rusty told him to hold it. Dave places the crayon and starts to draw a picture while Dr. Legaspi and Jing-Mei fire questions at him.
Dr. Legaspi: I know some of the stuff we ask you may sound weird at first, but believe me there is a reason behind it. Also, some of it may be hard for you to remember, or understand but I promise you we will be here for you. You are perfectly safe. Just do your best. Now, that being said, I need for you to concentrate real hard about that day when you asked Carter to borrow his car. Do you remember it?
Dave starts to nod his head while he continues to draw a picture.
Jing-Mei: That's a start. We'll going to skip ahead from the time you actually borrowed the car until when you were being held in "that place". Can you tell us anything about it?
Dave: Cccold...Nnnnoisy...Llloud.
Dr. Legaspi: That's good. Go on, what else can you remember about the place you were in? Use your senses, Dave. Did you see, hear, smell, touch anything that can help us out.
Dave: Pppplanes....llloud. Sssmell...bbbad
Jing-Mei: Yes, that's right. You were in a airplane hangar and you said that the smell from the gasoline was getting to you.
Dr. Legaspi: What about touching anything?
Dave started slamming the crayon to the picture and scratching his head furiously.
Jing-Mei: Dave, it's alright. Please tell us what you remember?
Dave: Ssssitting aall ttime....cccan't uup sstand...ccchair.
Jing-Mei: That's cause you were tied up in a chair...Dave, what about Dr. Fallone?
Dave started to cry. He bent his head down and bawled. Then almost as suddenly as he started to whimper he stopped. He picked up his crayon and continued to draw.
Jing-Mei: You weren't in the chair when they found you though... But Dave, about Dr. Fallone...did he hurt you?
Dave nods his head.
Dr. Legaspi: Are you sure, Dave? Did you see his face?
Dave shakes his head, no. He puts his crayon down and starts to manuever his right hand so that it is covering his eyes.
Dave: Sssee nnno. Cccouldn't sssee.
Dr. Legaspi: You were blindfolded the whole time, weren't you?
Dave nods and picks up his crayon and goes back to drawing.
Dr. Legaspi: How can you be so sure that it was Dr. Fallone if you never saw him?
Dave(arrogantly): Lllisten...vvvoice...nnot ddeaf or sstupid, ddoctor!
Both Jing-Mei and Dr. Legaspi jump back at Dave's condescending attitude.
Jing-Mei: Shades of the old Dave.
Dr. Legaspi: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that you were stupid or deaf. I guess I didn't think you would remember somebody by just their voice and never having seen them, but I guess it's possible. Dave, what did Dr. Fallone do to hurt you?
Dave ignored her.
Jing-Mei: Dave, when you first met Dr. Fallone... you made a comment about stealing your kidney. I thought you were afraid about a new transplant, but now that I think about it, that's not what you were talking about, was it?
Dave drops his crayon and encourages Dr. Legaspi and Jing-Mei to look at his picture. They bend over and study the drawing. It's difficult to make out but they try their best to interpret it.
Jing-Mei: Looks like someone laying on the ground or floor with two other people standing over him.
Dr. Legaspi: There appears to be something in the hand of the one closer to the person on the floor. And they seem to be in a big barn or a hangar... I would imagine.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, there are some airplanes flying over head. Dave, the person laying on the ground, is that you?
Dave: Yyyes. Mmme Eeeerik.
Jing-Mei: Yes, you Dave. What is that laying in front of you?
Dave: Hhhhands.
Dave motions with his right hand and trying to move his left hand to show how he was tied.
Dr. Legaspi: Dave, this person leaning over you, is that...
Just then Dr. Romano and Dr. Fallone enter Dave's room. Dr. Legaspi and Jing-Mei look back at Dave and he nods. Jing-Mei grabs the picture and hides it behind her back, keeping Dave's latest visitors from seeing it.
Dr. Romano: If you ladies are done here, we have more tests to run on him.
Dr. Legaspi: Yeah, I think we did enough for today. We'll be going.
Dave grabs at Jing-Mei's hand and holds it tight. His eyes look up to her, pleading her not to leave him. Jing-Mei bends down, kisses Dave's cheek, slips his drawing under his pillow and whispers into his ear.
Jing-Mei: Don't worry sweetheart, we aren't going to let him hurt you. Dr. Romano is here and he won't let him harm you. So, behave yourself and I'll be back later to see you.
Dave unwillingly agrees. Dr. Legaspi and Jing-Mei leave the room. They stop just outside the door.
Jing-Mei: Well, what do you think?
Dr. Legaspi: You're right about Dr. Fallone and Dave's absolute terror of him. Now, proving it is the hard part.
Jing-Mei: The cops have Dave as a witness. He can just tell them what he told...uh, drew for us.
Dr. Legaspi: True, except that Dave is considered, at least right now, mentally unstable and has been traumatized from his past that I don't know if they would believe or take anything he said seriously. They are going to need more that just Dave's say so... Some hard core evidence.
Jing-Mei: Nevertheless, I'm going to speak with Capt. Amos.
The next day Jing-Mei walks into Dave's room. She sees Dave crying in bed and immediately goes over to him. She sits on his bed and comforts him.
Jing-Mei: Sweetheart, what is wrong?
Dave points to the floor when there is a bunch of torn paper spread over it. She picks up the pieces and recognizes it as his drawing from the past day.
Jing-Mei: You're drawing...It was a good drawing... you didn't have to rip it up.
Dave raised his head up and gave her a death stare.
Jing-Mei: You didn't tear this up, did you? Who did then?
Dave bent his head down and then pointed to his back, at his kidneys.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Fallone!
Dave nodded as he continued to cry. Jing-Mei sat with Dave trying to calm him down but knowing that Dr. Fallone was on to them. She's just grateful it was only the picture that was ripped up and Dave wasn't harmed. During the next hour, some of the ER staff came up to visit Dave. He finally started to cheer up when he saw his visitors. Then the door to his room opened up and Dr. Romano walked in.
Dr. Romano: Didn't realize that there was a party going on here...or did I call a staff meeting and forget about it.
Kerry: Just visiting.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Romano, where is Dr. Fallone at?
Dr. Romano: Why, is there a problem?
Jing-Mei: No, just needed to ask him something.
Dr. Romano: Well, maybe I can help you?
Jing-Mei: No, it's kind of personal. Where is he?
Dr. Romano: I'm afraid that I'm going to have to do. It seems that Dr. Fallone took another position at another hospital.
Jing-Mei: What!!
Dr. Romano: He quit last night. Believe me, I am just as upset if not more than you. He didn't give any notice or even a forwarding address. Not so much as a "kiss my ass". Well, screw him anyway. He's not the reason why I came in here.
Carter: If you have business with Dr. Malucci, we'll go.
Dr. Romano: No, you can stay. Besides, I think Dr. Malat...Dave or Erik or whatever the hell his name is this week, would want his friends around when I tell him what I have to.
Jing-Mei panics as does Dave's other visitors.
Jing-Mei: You've got Dave's test results back from yesterday. What's wrong with him now? (biting her fingernails)
Dr. Romano: Yes, we did. Relax. It's actually good news. We are kicking him out.
Abby: You're moving him to another room?
Dr. Romano: No, were discharging him.
Everyone's jaw drops open. They remain speechless.
Jing-Mei: Are you kidding us? You are really letting him go.
Dr. Romano: These beds are reserved for sick people, one of which he no longer is. At least, not one that requires hospitalization, according to his results from yesterday's tests. I've spoken with his cardiologist, neurologist, pulmonologist and orthopedist and they agree that any treatment and care Dave needs he can get on an out-patient basis.
It's Jing-Mei's turn to start crying. She and Dave are overran with congratulations from the others. Dave sits on his bed, confused.
Jing-Mei: I don't think he understands. Can I tell him?
Dr. Romano: By all means.
Jing-Mei sits by her husband's bedside and takes his confused face in her eyes.
Jing-Mei: Dave, did you understand what Dr. Romano said? You're coming home, baby.
Dave seems unamused.
Jing-Mei: You are leaving here and going home with me and the boys.
Dave: Rrrrazal.
Jing-Mei giggles.
Jing-Mei: Yes, Rascal too.
Dave's face lights up and for the first time in a long time he gives them his famous Malucci grin.
Jing-Mei: He knows. He's happy. He has a hard time showing it, but he's happy.
Jing-Mei pulls Dave into a hug, but behind her back his face goes from that of happy to that of scared and worried.
To be continued. Please read and review.