Chapter 36
Methos found a place to park the car and followed Duncan into the hospital; Duncan went straight to the nurses station in the emergency room, he tapped on the counter as a dark haired middle aged nurse was writing on some notes "I came here with a friend Alex Rogan" the nurse didn't look up but kept on writing. Duncan peered over the counter "My friend has just been brought in with a gunshot.I want to know what is happening to her" Duncan said as he banged his fist on the counter in frustration. The nurse looked up and was about to speak when the phone rang, Duncan turned away to try and keep his temper, he only managed to catch some of what was said before the nurse put the phone down "Are you Monsieur MacLeod?" the nurse asked as she walked over to stand in front of him "Yes.Yes I am". The nurse walked out from behind the counter "Please come with me", Duncan followed "What happened to my friend?" he asked as he followed her "She is conscious and is asking for you.she won't let them start surgery until she has seen you".
Duncan followed the nurse down one white corridor after another before they reached the operating theatre. Duncan looked through the window in the door as he put on the gown and mask the nurse had given him, he could see Alex pushing away the anaesthetic mask. He pushed open the door and rushed to her side, she looked up into the masked face, one look into his eyes and she knew who was behind the mask "Duncan.I knew you would come", Duncan reached out and took her hand "Alex you need to let these people save your life" he said as his other hand stroked her hair "Duncan.I'm afraid" Duncan looked down into her eyes he could see how scared she was, he looked up at the nurse "Is this mask really necessary?" the surgeon stepped forward "Monsieur, if it calms her down please take it off" Duncan removed the mask and leant closer to Alex "There is nothing to be afraid of".
Alex's eyes filled with tears "Duncan I'm afraid that if I close my eyes all the good I have found will be gone.and all I will be left with is the nightmare"
He stroked her hair "Everything will be all right.I'll be here when you come round.hey you can't leave halfway through my fabulous tour of Paris I don't give refunds" he said smiling down at her as he fought with his own emotions, one of the nurses patted Duncan on the arm "Monsieur we must operate now" Duncan nodded "Alex I've got to go now.but I'll wait until our asleep.don't be afraid" Alex smiled and nodded, Duncan held Alex's hand pressed to his lips as he watched as the anaesthetist placed the mask over Alex's face. He stroked Alex's hair as her eyes closed, he watched as her body relaxed. Duncan then left the operating theatre wiping the tears from his eyes.
Methos had found his way to the waiting and got up as Duncan walked in "Well what happened?" he asked as Duncan sat down in the chair next to him, Methos could see that Duncan was upset and sat back down "She looks bad Methos.real bad" he said as he wiped his hands over his face. Methos was about to answer when Ray and Thomas came rushing into the room, they started to walk towards the nurses station when Thomas noticed Methos and Duncan sat on the seats, he tapped Ray on the shoulder and they made their way over to them. "How is she?" Ray asked, Duncan got to his feet "They're operating on her now.we're waiting for news".
"But surely they've said something?" Thomas asked as he moved closer to Duncan "I did manage to see her before she went in.she was conscious and arguing with the Doctors.I'm sure she'll be fine" Duncan replied as he tried to reassure them, but Methos could see that his friend wasn't as sure as his words. Thomas laughed, "That sound just like Alex even thinks she knows better than her doctors". Nothing more was said as they waited in silence all lost in their own thoughts. After they had been waiting for over an hour Methos got up and wandered off to the nurse's station, he leant on the counter and was chatting to the young red headed nurse who was on duty, he took a piece of paper the nurse gave him and then walked back to where Duncan, Ray and Thomas were now sitting. He sat in the chair next to Duncan "What have you been up to?" Duncan asked, Methos smiled at him "Well two things one for you and one for me" he replied.
"And what did you do for me?" Duncan asked as he raised his eyebrows and smiled "She found out for me how the surgery was going"
"And?" Duncan asked as he moved to the edge of his seat "It's taking longer than expected but they hope to be finished soon"
"And for you?"
A grin came over Methos's face "Her number" Duncan groaned and looked up at the ceiling "Ohhh.I don't believe you" he said shaking his head as he sat back in the chair. Nearly two hours passed before Duncan saw the surgeon enter the room, he got to his feet, the look on the doctor's face made Duncan quicken his pace as he walked over to him "Ah Monsieur MacLeod"
"How is she?" Duncan asked "She is comfortable.they are taking her to intensive care now"
Duncan swallowed hard and bit his lip as the words intensive care registered; he looked over his shoulder at Methos and the others "What are her chances?"
"Monsieur MacLeod I will not lie to you.there was more damage inside than we had expected.there was some internal bleeding I think from the blows she received before she was shot" Duncan listened in silence his vision started to blur "the bullet was lodged very near the spinal cord.we managed to remove it but only time will tell if there is any permanent damage" Duncan pinched the bridge of his nose "you still haven't told me her chances?"
The doctor looked at Duncan with concern he had been a doctor for over 10 years now and these talks never got any easier "The first 24 hours are going to critical.I'll know more after that.I'm sorry but I don't have a definite answer for you I have done my best it is now up to Miss Rogan.I'm sorry" the doctor said as he patted Duncan on the arm before walking over to the nurses station. Methos watched as Duncan walked over to the window, he then went over to the doctor and had a brief conversation before joining Duncan "Come on Mac I'll drive you home.you need to get some sleep" Duncan looked up as he fought to control the emotion he was feeling "No I'm staying here".
"But the doctor said it could be hours before they know anymore" Duncan tapped the window sill with his fist before turning to look at Methos "I promised her I would be here when she woke up.and that is what I'm going to do" Methos could see that he wasn't going to change Duncan's mind "Ok.but is there anything I can do?" Methos asked Duncan smiled weakly "you could go by the barge and bring me a change of clothes" Duncan said as he took out the keys and handed them to Methos, they both then walked over to the nurses station "Can you tell me where intensive care is?" Duncan asked, he hadn't noticed Thomas and Ray walk up behind them "It is on the 4th floor, but Monsieur only 1 person may stay there" Duncan turned to leave but Thomas stepped into his path "Then Ray or I should stay" Methos saw Duncan's temper started to rise "and why is that?" Duncan asked "She our colleague" Duncan looked away before stepping forward so he was inches from Thomas's face, he then turned to face him "You don't really know who she is do you? What she's been through.all you see is what you want to.you were never there for her before.why do you think she would want you there now?" Duncan asked as he glared at Thomas "I've known her longer than you".
"Have you really.I don't think you know her at all" Duncan said just before Ray pushed between them "Thomas back off" Duncan started to walk away to the elevator when Thomas shouted after him "What gives you the right to decide?" Duncan stopped and turned round "Because I am her Friend" Duncan replied quietly before heading out the door.
"Can you believe the nerve of that guy he knows her for a couple of weeks.thinks he knows best.I've know her for years" Thomas complained to Ray and Methos. "Let it go Thomas" Ray replied. Methos just leant against the counter and smiled "And what are you grinning at?" Thomas asked, Methos stood up "Mac knows more about Alex after a couple of weeks than you have found out in all those years.maybe you should be asking yourself why?
"Why don't you tell me?"
"Did you ever bother to ask her why she is how she is? Why she felt they way she did about things? Why she worked the way that she does?" Methos asked and watched for a reaction "I didn't think so.well Mac cared enough to keep asking until he found out who Alex Rogan really is.and do you want to know the main reason Mac should be the one with her now?"
"Yeah enlighten me," Thomas said sarcastically, Methos tapped the counter "It's simple.because she asked him too" Methos replied before he walked off towards the door. Thomas turned round to look at Ray and was about to complain some more when Ray put up his hand "Don't Thomas.he's right we never want to know much about her before why all this concern now.I know she has saved both our lives in one day.and I know she didn't hesitate.she put herself on the line even though we both deserted her over Lazarski.we let her down.the best thing we can do for Alex now is check out this disc and find that Son of Bitch.right?"
Thomas threw his arms up in the air "Yeah your right.let's go".
Methos found a place to park the car and followed Duncan into the hospital; Duncan went straight to the nurses station in the emergency room, he tapped on the counter as a dark haired middle aged nurse was writing on some notes "I came here with a friend Alex Rogan" the nurse didn't look up but kept on writing. Duncan peered over the counter "My friend has just been brought in with a gunshot.I want to know what is happening to her" Duncan said as he banged his fist on the counter in frustration. The nurse looked up and was about to speak when the phone rang, Duncan turned away to try and keep his temper, he only managed to catch some of what was said before the nurse put the phone down "Are you Monsieur MacLeod?" the nurse asked as she walked over to stand in front of him "Yes.Yes I am". The nurse walked out from behind the counter "Please come with me", Duncan followed "What happened to my friend?" he asked as he followed her "She is conscious and is asking for you.she won't let them start surgery until she has seen you".
Duncan followed the nurse down one white corridor after another before they reached the operating theatre. Duncan looked through the window in the door as he put on the gown and mask the nurse had given him, he could see Alex pushing away the anaesthetic mask. He pushed open the door and rushed to her side, she looked up into the masked face, one look into his eyes and she knew who was behind the mask "Duncan.I knew you would come", Duncan reached out and took her hand "Alex you need to let these people save your life" he said as his other hand stroked her hair "Duncan.I'm afraid" Duncan looked down into her eyes he could see how scared she was, he looked up at the nurse "Is this mask really necessary?" the surgeon stepped forward "Monsieur, if it calms her down please take it off" Duncan removed the mask and leant closer to Alex "There is nothing to be afraid of".
Alex's eyes filled with tears "Duncan I'm afraid that if I close my eyes all the good I have found will be gone.and all I will be left with is the nightmare"
He stroked her hair "Everything will be all right.I'll be here when you come round.hey you can't leave halfway through my fabulous tour of Paris I don't give refunds" he said smiling down at her as he fought with his own emotions, one of the nurses patted Duncan on the arm "Monsieur we must operate now" Duncan nodded "Alex I've got to go now.but I'll wait until our asleep.don't be afraid" Alex smiled and nodded, Duncan held Alex's hand pressed to his lips as he watched as the anaesthetist placed the mask over Alex's face. He stroked Alex's hair as her eyes closed, he watched as her body relaxed. Duncan then left the operating theatre wiping the tears from his eyes.
Methos had found his way to the waiting and got up as Duncan walked in "Well what happened?" he asked as Duncan sat down in the chair next to him, Methos could see that Duncan was upset and sat back down "She looks bad Methos.real bad" he said as he wiped his hands over his face. Methos was about to answer when Ray and Thomas came rushing into the room, they started to walk towards the nurses station when Thomas noticed Methos and Duncan sat on the seats, he tapped Ray on the shoulder and they made their way over to them. "How is she?" Ray asked, Duncan got to his feet "They're operating on her now.we're waiting for news".
"But surely they've said something?" Thomas asked as he moved closer to Duncan "I did manage to see her before she went in.she was conscious and arguing with the Doctors.I'm sure she'll be fine" Duncan replied as he tried to reassure them, but Methos could see that his friend wasn't as sure as his words. Thomas laughed, "That sound just like Alex even thinks she knows better than her doctors". Nothing more was said as they waited in silence all lost in their own thoughts. After they had been waiting for over an hour Methos got up and wandered off to the nurse's station, he leant on the counter and was chatting to the young red headed nurse who was on duty, he took a piece of paper the nurse gave him and then walked back to where Duncan, Ray and Thomas were now sitting. He sat in the chair next to Duncan "What have you been up to?" Duncan asked, Methos smiled at him "Well two things one for you and one for me" he replied.
"And what did you do for me?" Duncan asked as he raised his eyebrows and smiled "She found out for me how the surgery was going"
"And?" Duncan asked as he moved to the edge of his seat "It's taking longer than expected but they hope to be finished soon"
"And for you?"
A grin came over Methos's face "Her number" Duncan groaned and looked up at the ceiling "Ohhh.I don't believe you" he said shaking his head as he sat back in the chair. Nearly two hours passed before Duncan saw the surgeon enter the room, he got to his feet, the look on the doctor's face made Duncan quicken his pace as he walked over to him "Ah Monsieur MacLeod"
"How is she?" Duncan asked "She is comfortable.they are taking her to intensive care now"
Duncan swallowed hard and bit his lip as the words intensive care registered; he looked over his shoulder at Methos and the others "What are her chances?"
"Monsieur MacLeod I will not lie to you.there was more damage inside than we had expected.there was some internal bleeding I think from the blows she received before she was shot" Duncan listened in silence his vision started to blur "the bullet was lodged very near the spinal cord.we managed to remove it but only time will tell if there is any permanent damage" Duncan pinched the bridge of his nose "you still haven't told me her chances?"
The doctor looked at Duncan with concern he had been a doctor for over 10 years now and these talks never got any easier "The first 24 hours are going to critical.I'll know more after that.I'm sorry but I don't have a definite answer for you I have done my best it is now up to Miss Rogan.I'm sorry" the doctor said as he patted Duncan on the arm before walking over to the nurses station. Methos watched as Duncan walked over to the window, he then went over to the doctor and had a brief conversation before joining Duncan "Come on Mac I'll drive you home.you need to get some sleep" Duncan looked up as he fought to control the emotion he was feeling "No I'm staying here".
"But the doctor said it could be hours before they know anymore" Duncan tapped the window sill with his fist before turning to look at Methos "I promised her I would be here when she woke up.and that is what I'm going to do" Methos could see that he wasn't going to change Duncan's mind "Ok.but is there anything I can do?" Methos asked Duncan smiled weakly "you could go by the barge and bring me a change of clothes" Duncan said as he took out the keys and handed them to Methos, they both then walked over to the nurses station "Can you tell me where intensive care is?" Duncan asked, he hadn't noticed Thomas and Ray walk up behind them "It is on the 4th floor, but Monsieur only 1 person may stay there" Duncan turned to leave but Thomas stepped into his path "Then Ray or I should stay" Methos saw Duncan's temper started to rise "and why is that?" Duncan asked "She our colleague" Duncan looked away before stepping forward so he was inches from Thomas's face, he then turned to face him "You don't really know who she is do you? What she's been through.all you see is what you want to.you were never there for her before.why do you think she would want you there now?" Duncan asked as he glared at Thomas "I've known her longer than you".
"Have you really.I don't think you know her at all" Duncan said just before Ray pushed between them "Thomas back off" Duncan started to walk away to the elevator when Thomas shouted after him "What gives you the right to decide?" Duncan stopped and turned round "Because I am her Friend" Duncan replied quietly before heading out the door.
"Can you believe the nerve of that guy he knows her for a couple of weeks.thinks he knows best.I've know her for years" Thomas complained to Ray and Methos. "Let it go Thomas" Ray replied. Methos just leant against the counter and smiled "And what are you grinning at?" Thomas asked, Methos stood up "Mac knows more about Alex after a couple of weeks than you have found out in all those years.maybe you should be asking yourself why?
"Why don't you tell me?"
"Did you ever bother to ask her why she is how she is? Why she felt they way she did about things? Why she worked the way that she does?" Methos asked and watched for a reaction "I didn't think so.well Mac cared enough to keep asking until he found out who Alex Rogan really is.and do you want to know the main reason Mac should be the one with her now?"
"Yeah enlighten me," Thomas said sarcastically, Methos tapped the counter "It's simple.because she asked him too" Methos replied before he walked off towards the door. Thomas turned round to look at Ray and was about to complain some more when Ray put up his hand "Don't Thomas.he's right we never want to know much about her before why all this concern now.I know she has saved both our lives in one day.and I know she didn't hesitate.she put herself on the line even though we both deserted her over Lazarski.we let her down.the best thing we can do for Alex now is check out this disc and find that Son of Bitch.right?"
Thomas threw his arms up in the air "Yeah your right.let's go".