It was the longest night of her life spent in a hospital waiting room. Time went by so slowly—Adam had fallen asleep. She was too keyed up to sleep. She needed to be there for Jack, when he got out of surgery.
The sun was coming up over the city. As she stared out the window, her mind wondered back to the first time they met. She had seen him around Hogan Place—road in the same elevator a few times. She knew his reputation as a brilliant prosecutor and his reputation with his female assistants. When she found out she was going to be his assistant, she told herself that things were going to be different. She was not going to be seduced by this man no matter how good he looked in his jeans. It took a while, but he won her over. It wasn't as if he was trying to—it just happened. Behind that tough exterior was a kind, caring, passionate man that she fell in love with. If the defense council ever got wind of this, his plea bargaining days would be over. Thinking about this brought a smile to her face.
A surgeon came out into the waiting area. He asked the admissions person if there were family or friends here for John McCoy. She pointed toward Claire and Adam. Claire was watching as the surgeon walked in their direction. Even though she knew it would be impossible, she prepared herself for the worst. She gently shook Adam.
"What?"
"It's the doctor, Adam."
He wiped his eyes. "Ok, I'm awake."
Extending his hand to Claire first and then Adam. "Ms. Kincaid, Mr. Schiff, I'm Dr. Koster—one of the surgeons who worked on Mr. McCoy!"
Fearing the worst, Adam asked, "How is he?"
"He's alive, but in critical condition—he lost a lot of blood. Dr. Canton and I were able to repair his more life threatening injuries—the internal bleeding and broken femur. We have our top orthopedic doctor evaluating his other broken bones, which may require additional surgery—that will have to wait until he is in stable condition." He took a deep breath before continuing. "He's currently in a coma. He was wearing a helmet that probably saved his life—but the helmet also impacted the car. So, his brain shifted inside his skull. The good news is we didn't find any damage—like a ruptured blood vessel, bruising, or swelling of the brain. When the brain is traumatized, sometimes it shuts down to protect itself."
Claire had a hard time absorbing what he had just said when all she wanted to know was "Will he be ok?"
"We should know more in the next 24-48 hours."
'Standard doctor bullshit for I don't know' Adam thought to himself—he then said out loud "Can we see him?"
Knowing who this man was, the doctor couldn't say no. "Yes, for a few minutes. He's in the recovery area—I'll show you and Ms. Kincaid the way."
As they walked Adam asked the doctor "So, he'll come out of this coma on his own?"
"Most patience's do eventually. It may take a few days, a week, a month, or longer. Naturally, the sooner the better."
Adam just shook his head and thought 'more doctor bullshit.'
Claire was unprepared for what she saw as they entered the recovery area. Adam was surprised too, but tried not to show it—he was good at that. Jack looked very pale. He was hooked up to various machines. There were numerous bags of medication all dripping into an IV in his arm. His arm and leg on the left side had been immobilized. She gently touched his hand—it was cold. He was alive—the heart monitor confirmed it. That pinging was music to her ears.
Adam put a hand on her shoulder. "He'll be fine." He seemed to keep repeating those words and wasn't sure whether he said them to reassure Claire or whether he was trying to convince himself. "I need a moment with the doctor. We'll be right back." He stepped away and took the doctor with him.
She sat down in the chair next to his bed and held his good hand. "Hey, Jack! You don't look so good. The doctor says you'll be fine but you'll have to hang in there, ok Jack! The police got the guy that hit you—he was drunk—ran a red light. Your bike is messed up—but that can be replaced. Can't replace you. I know you'll pull through this—you have to because I need you Jack." Her eyes started to water.
While Claire was in with Jack, Adam talked with the doctor out in the hall. "I don't quite know how to put this, so I'll be straight forward and I would appreciate an honest answer. What are his chances?"
"I don't have a crystal ball, Mr. Schiff. My immediate concern was saving his life and to prevent infection. If he continues to improve over the next few days, comes out of his coma, then he has a very good chance. I don't know what else to say."
"I know you're doing the best you can and I'm sorry if I was short with you—I just feel so helpless. The man in that bed is not only my employee (he paused trying to keep his composure) …he's my friend. If I could, I would take his place."
"I understand."
Adam and the doctor walked back into the recovery area to tell Claire it was time to leave. "I have to go now Jack, you need your rest. I'll be back later." She kissed the top of his hand and after she did, she thought she felt his hand move in hers—at least she hoped that she did.
Adam wrote on the back of his business card and handed it to the doctor. "My personal number is on the back. Call me, day or night, if he needs anything. Take good care of him, please."
"Of course!" the doctor said as he shook Adam's hand.
"It's been a long night—let's get you home, Claire. Get some rest—come back later."
"No, Adam. I'm staying!"
"He'll be in ICU. You won't be able to see him much even is they let you in there in the first place. It's usually only family—which reminds me, I have to call his sister."
"I'll camp out in the waiting area—I'm not leaving." She got choked up again. "I need to be here…for him." She didn't say or couldn't say what she feared most—that he might die and if he did, she didn't want him to die alone.
"Alright! Call me if you need anything or his condition changes." He pulled her in and they hugged each other. "I'm going home—this old man needs some rest. I'll be back later in the day. Take care of yourself." He kissed her forehead and left.