Summary: Aidan and Tony face a mountain of problems from a simple procedure. Rated T for language, medical jargon. Thanks to Jo, HD and Lauren for beta'ing.
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It was a beautiful August mid-morning in Los Angeles. Well, it was if you weren't Aidan Hinkley, full-time three-dimensional art and jewelrymaking teacher and part-time superhero, courtesy of a magic suit handed down by your godfather and a bunch of green guys. This particular Tuesday, all the sunlight in the sky and the wacky suit scenario dreams she had couldn't take away the dull mood she was in...
"Ralph, are you sure I have to do this," grumbled Aidan as she sat on the couch and rummaged through her jacket pockets hoping for some jewelry project in there to keep her occupied. "This is not the way I wanted to end my summer vacation before teacher in-service."
Ralph sat next to her, coming along to take her back to his and Pam's home after the surgery, as Pam was presiding a case in pre-trial arguments. "Yeah Ade, you do and you know it," he said chuckling softly. "The doctor looked at them and said they have to come out."
"I can't believe they changed directions," she said, frustrated when she found no projects in her pockets. "How can wisdom teeth do that? They said they were going to come in straight. I got the two bad ones taken out at 18, the same time as normal kids. But here I am again, 9 years and two toothaches later, doing it again with the other two."
"He said it happens sometimes."
"Teeth growing crooked after all, huh. With this talk, I'm starting to feel that everything I deal with is either crooked or wacky," she grumbled again as she heard the front door open. Turning, she saw Tony standing there.
"Tony, what are you doing here?" said Ralph. He paused, thinking and turned. "Aidan, you didn't try to..."
"No Mr. H, she didn't call me," said the agent. "Even if she did, I know better than to disobey you or Mrs. H's requests..."
"Ralph, you fink," said Aidan glaring at him. She hadn't considered it.
Ralph just ignored her glare. "Ade, you know these teeth need to be taken out or you risk having some health problems. Pam and I weren't going to take chances you'd try to get Tony to put you in a suit scenario and avoid it."
Aidan still frowned. "OK fine, you win. Anyway, why are you here then Tony? This is one of the last places someone would want to be in on this beautiful day."
"Well ... given where we are, I can't say exactly yet, but I was wondering if you could help me with a scenario using this..." he said, holding out a shirt.
Aidan coughed and turned away, causing Tony to frown. "What is it this time? No wait, don't tell me... you don't have it on."
Ralph shook his head in response instead. "Nope, she doesn't have the jammies on. Too many questions if someone saw it here."
"How will they?" said Tony, not quite following. "They're pulling out her teeth aren't they?"
"No, Tony, they're not being pulled. They've got to be cut out, and in order to do that, the doctor has to put her under," said Ralph.
"Whatdaya mean..." he stopped, finally dawning on him. Aidan fidgeted, confirming what he thought. "Oh, I see, she's gotta be knocked out, and that means..."
"Let's change the subject," interrupted Aidan softly, grimacing slightly.
Tony didn't catch on. "Aidan, there's nothing wrong about getting a shot to put ya out," he said, continuing. "All they do is just stick a needle in the crook of your arm, and before you know it, you'll be asleep and won't feel..."
Aidan suddenly paled and started to list to the side. Ralph caught her and bent her over to where her head was between her knees.
"Ade, don't try to sit up until I tell you," Ralph said softly, and she gave a tiny wave in response. Ralph then glanced up, frowning. "Tony, I was trying to avoid her doing this..."
"She's afraid of that?" said Tony kneeling to make sure his partner didn't decide to go out and topple over. "Come on, deals with everything she did three months ago, not to mention the stuff we do now, and nearly faints at the mention of..." he stopped when Ralph clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Yes Tony, and on top of that having to fast until after the surgery isn't helping out," he said simply. Ralph turned to Aidan and ran a hand through her slightly wavy ash-blonde hair to soothe her. "You feeling better Ade? Here, try to sit up."
Aidan sat up slowly, nodding. "Yeah, think so. Sorry guys," she said.
Tony shrugged, embarrassed. "Hey Aidan, if I knew..."
"No worries, Tony, but I'd better never hear you make fun of this."
Before Tony could say anything, the doctor's door opened. "Aidan?"
"Hey, Dr. Howlite," said Aidan, giving him a shaky smile.
"Hi, good to see you again. You ready to get the rest of your wisdom teeth removed?"
Aidan noticing Ralph's look, shrugged slightly. She decided to try and act tough. "Well, not exactly, but sooner I get this over with the sooner I can eat something..."
"Uh huh. Still having fun with that phobia aren't you?" he said, noticing her slight pallor. She nodded, embarrassed.
Howlite chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Dalton's one of the best anesthetists we have. You won't feel a thing before or during the procedure," he said as he checked her pulse. "Come on, I think you're well enough for us to get started. If you'd like, I can have your godfather come in and hold your hand while we put you under."
She turned to Ralph, eyes pleading. Ralph, however had his doubts, but looking at the doctor, Ralph realized what the man was actually asking...
Ralph shook his head and chuckled softly. "All right, I'll come in too," he said.
"And I'll wait out here for ya, Aidan, if that's all right," said Tony. "Besides, I'm sure Mr. H could use the company while he waits. You'll probably be in there for a while."
Aidan only rolled her eyes as she and Ralph went through the door and entered into the room they did the surgery. It looked like a regular examination room, but also included equipment for minor surgery.
"OK, Aidan, why don't you sit down in the chair and I'll get Dalton. We'll be ready in a couple of minutes," said Howlite.
As Howlite exited, Aidan sat down in the patient chair and looked around the room, looking at the variety of equipment.
Ralph saw the apprehension in her eyes and put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "Aidan, you'll be all right, trust me. I know you're afraid, but I'll be right here until you fall asleep."
"Ralph, it's not just that and you know it," said Aidan, shaking her head. "We talked about this earlier. They use sodium pentathol, and I'm afraid I'll slip and mention something I shouldn't."
"Ade, everyone here knows you're a bit silly and talk about everything from your jewelry projects to Frisbee golf. And that's when you're awake. Like I said, I don't think you will talk about anything while you're under. But if you do, I'm sure they'll just pass it off as another one of your strange dreams."
Before Aidan could say anything, the doctor and another man re-entered the room. Aidan looked at Ralph and nodded, hoping he was right.
"Aidan, this is Chase Dalton," said Howlite. "He'll be the one helping out with the anesthesia and checking your vitals through the procedure."
"How do you do Aidan," said Dalton, and Aidan could only nod. "We're about to get started, so do you have any questions."
"Yes, you think you can get started?" she said, closing her eyes at the sight of the shot lying on the equipment tray.
Dalton chuckled, and checked her pulse. "Don't worry, Aidan, Dr. Howlite told me about your phobia. I'll make the stick as quick as possible," he said, smiling. Once he was satisfied that Aidan could be put under safely, Dalton turned to Howlite. "Are you ready for me to start, Paul?"
"Yes, I've got everything ready," said Howlite. Dalton nodded and put the tourniquet on Aidan's arm.
Noticing Aidan start to tense up, Ralph grabbed Aidan's right hand and held it tight, making her look at him. "Hey Ade, remember what I said, and I'll be waiting for you when you wake up," he said.
Aidan nodded and felt a slight prick in her left arm. "That didn't hurt, well much," said Aidan with a soft smile, starting to feel a little giddy.
"See, it wasn't that bad after all," said Ralph chuckling and tousled her hair.
Howlite smiled, realizing his idea of Ralph being there helped out a lot. The first time, when the other two wisdom teeth were removed, Aidan's phobia was so extreme that she fainted before she even entered the room. They had to wait a while afterward before her blood pressure was stable enough to be sedated.
"All right, Aidan, start counting back from 100," said Dalton as he administered the anesthetic.
Aidan started to feel sleepy but did what she was told. "100, 99, 98, 97..."
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After about 93 or 92, Aidan's mumbling stopped and she finally relaxed. Lifting an eyelid to check her eyes and looking at the monitors, Dalton nodded. "She's unconscious," he said simply.
Howlite turned to Ralph and smiled. "Mr. Hinkley, thanks for helping out. It was a lot easier this time."
Though Ralph admitted it was a bit unnerving to watch Aidan go under the drugs, he understood exactly what the doctor meant. Ralph chuckled softly and placed Aidan's hand across her waist. "You're welcome, Dr. Howlite. I remember the last time, and realized that's why you wanted me in here when you put her under. Listen, I'm keeping my promise, so I'll be in the waiting room."
"Sure, we should be done within 20 minutes, and Aidan should come around in about 30," said Howlite.
Ralph nodded and left the room. Howlite turned to Dalton. "All right, I'd better get started..."
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About a half an hour later, Aidan blinked and opened her eyes, finding she was still in the chair. Glancing at her left elbow, she noticed a small bandage with a Scooby Doo print in the crook of her arm. She placed her hands on her face and found a netting with two small ice packs on either side where her teeth were.
Dalton was nearing the room when he saw her look at one of her watches, slightly confused when she saw the time. "Aidan, welcome back. How are you feeling," he said entering the room.
Aidan grinned slightly and started to sit up, only to feel the room spin. Dalton caught her as she started to slump and lowered her back in the chair. "Just sit back and relax, Aidan. Your body's still trying to fight off the effects of being sedated."
She shook her head and, realizing that she probably would be told not to talk because of the gauze in her mouth, started to finger spell. Can I see Ralph? she signed.
Dalton frowned. "Sorry, I don't know any sign language."
"I do, and if it's easier to use it Aidan, the proper. What did you want to ask," said Howlite as he looked on and entered. Aidan signed again, only this time normally. "She's asking for Ralph, her godfather. Aidan, he'll be here in a few minutes."
Did he leave?, she signed, frowning.
"No, he's been in the waiting room the whole time, but we need to make sure you don't have any lingering effects from the anesthetic. If it'll help any, I'll tell Ralph you're awake. Probably be 5-10 minutes before you're feeling well enough to go home."
Oh. OK, no probs, better he doesn't see me dizzy anyway, especially after last time, She signed with a wry grin and unconsciously rolled her left ankle.
"Aidan, I don't think that'll happen again. You went through it fine, don't worry," he said chuckling at that memory and left.
Dalton smiled and checked her pulse. "Well so far you're recovering faster than most people I know."
Well it's the old... she started, only to motion for a pen and paper. Nodding, he gave a set to her. 'Sorry, the old Hinkley healing technique. Got it from Ralph's side of the family.' she wrote.
"Oh, well it's helping. Just out of curiosity, what happened last time?"
'Didn't listen about staying seated and...' she made a falling motion with her hand. Seeing him cringe, she continued writing. 'No, I didn't pass out, but got dizzy and ended up being embarrassed. Also sprained my ankle. Poor Ralph really had a lot of 'fun' that visit, and he wasn't the patient.'
"Oh. Listen, I think you can try to sit up in the chair, but if you feel like you're going to pass out, tap me and I'll help you lay down again."
She nodded and, with some assistance, sat up feeling fine. "You all right Aidan," asked Dalton, only to smile when she gave him a thumbs up. "All right. I'm going to go talk to Dr. Howlite real quick so he can check the gauze in your mouth and give you a couple of instructions. Then, we'll take you out to the car in a wheelchair."
'Great... the royal treatment.' she wrote.
"Sorry, procedures, but I guess you knew that," he said, and she nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Dalton exited the room and started heading over to Howlite. As he walked, he started to think about what happened earlier after the surgery. He came by to check to see if Aidan was regaining consciousness only to hear her mumbling about a spaceship and green guys. At first, he thought it was some of the effects of the pentathol, especially when she started talking about getting a red suit that let her fly and do other things. When she started talking about working with an FBI agent on a top secret assignment wearing it, a project he heard about too, he realized that she could very well be telling the truth and not dreaming.
These comments Aidan was making intrigued him, especially since he was working on a special - and top secret - case for some colleagues of his. Dalton decided that he'd do a little more research into Aidan to see what this suit was all about.