Disclaimer: Don't own Automan—wish I did. Please don't sue. Besides ya' wouldn't get anything outta me right now, anyway. All of the disclaimer see Chapter 1.
Ch.13--Uncertain Prognosis
Roxanne was sitting in a chair in the waiting room of the police ward at the California Hospital Medical Center filling out some hospital forms. Her mind flashed back to the race to the hospital. The paramedics had done everything humanly possible for Wally. But for Roxanne, it looked like it wasn't enough. She knew Wally hadn't woken when the paramedics had started their emergency work on him and he hadn't woken when he had been admitted either.
She looked up when she saw Captain Boyd, Lieutenant Curtis, and Automan--still in his disguise as Federal Agent Mann--approaching her position. She could see the questions in their eyes. Questions she would have liked to have answers to herself.
"What are those?" asked Jack referring to the forms Roxanne was filling out.
"Since I'm the closest they could find to a relative, they asked me to fill out the paperwork."
Automan asked the one question that was on all their minds. "Do you have any new information on Walter's condition?"
"I haven't spoken to a doctor yet," replied Roxanne with some unhappiness in her voice. "but a nurse I was able to ask said he was in critical condition and the doctors were working to stabilize him. Unfortunately, that's all I've been able to find out."
The men all looked disappointed at the lack of news. The captain and lieutenant sat down on either side of Roxanne. Automan remained standing. Roxanne went back to filling out the forms. She was on the last one and wanted to get done. She had gotten half way through the form when she felt a presence near her. She looked up to see Automan standing near her. He quietly told her, "Roxanne, I need to speak to you alone."
She saw the tired as well as worried look in his eyes. 'He must be getting low on energy,' thought she. She stood up and placed the forms she had been trying to get through on the seat. They walked out of the waiting room together. They spotted an unoccupied room and quickly stepped inside. When he turned to her, she could see the strain on his face from having to remain in her world for so long without recharging.
"I'm low on energy and need to go. I'll be back as soon as I can," said Auto. She nodded in understanding before he disappeared. She stepped out of the room and headed back into the waiting room.
"What happened to Agent Mann?" asked the captain as soon as she got to the waiting room.
"He said he had to leave," explained Roxanne vaguely. "but he would be back as soon as he could." She picked up the forms she had been working on and sat back down in the chair. She finished filling out the last document when a doctor in his forties with brown hair and bifocal glasses approached their position. He stopped in front of the trio and asked, "Are you all here for Officer Nebicher?"
"Yes, we are," replied Jack as he stood up. "I'm Lieutenant Jack Curtis and this is Officer Roxanne Caldwell and Captain Boyd." He indicated the woman and man next to him.
"I'm Dr. John Tyler, Officer Nebicher's attending physician." Dr. Tyler saw the worried looks on their faces and wished he were bringing them good news about their friend. "Officer Nebicher is very lucky you got to him when you did, and he is one heck of a fighter. Unfortunately, he is still in critical condition. Shortly after he arrived here, he lapsed into a coma resulting from the massive blood loss and severe metabolic imbalance. When he slipped into the coma, he started having trouble breathing on his own. He is currently on a ventilator to help him breathe." He sighed. "He is slowly responding to the transfusions but will still require an immediate, direct transfusion to stabilize his condition enough that I can operate on him to remove the bullet and stop the bleeding. We have a pressure pad on his shoulder right now, and it is helping to reduce the amount of blood he is losing." He paused with a sad sigh before informing them, "Unfortunately, our supply of his particular blood type is running low." He didn't know how they would react to his next questions, but he knew he had to ask for the sake of his patient. "Would you be willing to have your blood tested for donor compatibility? And if your blood type is found to be compatible with Mr. Nebicher's, would you be willing to donate?"
"Yes," responded Jack and Roxanne instantaneously and simultaneously.
"Of course," replied the captain at the same time.
"Good. I'll have a lab technician come and escort you to a room to take your blood samples. I need to get back to my patient." Dr. Tyler left the waiting room.
After a minute, a young man with light brown hair in a hospital smock came up to them. "Hi. I'm Steve. I've come to escort you individually to a room to take your blood samples."
"Okay, I'll go first," said the captain. He and the lab tech left the waiting area heading for a vacant exam room. After a couple of minutes, the captain and Steve returned to the waiting room. Jack stood up and volunteered to go next. He and Steve left the waiting room also heading for an unused exam room. After a couple of minutes, they too returned. Roxanne stood up and went with Steve as well to an empty exam room. They too came back a couple of minutes later.
Steve said to them, "I'll get your blood samples to the lab right away and test them. Either Dr. Tyler or myself will tell you the results."
After ten minutes, Dr. Tyler came back into the waiting room. "First, I know you're all anxious to know if there's been a change in Officer Nebicher's condition. I'm sorry to say there has only been marginal improvement. His blood pressure is still much too low to perform the surgery, and he is still in a coma.
"Now, I just got the test results back from the lab. Ms. Caldwell, your blood type is compatible. I would like to set up the transfusion as soon as possible. The sooner I can administer the transfusion; the sooner I will be able to operate and remove the bullet and stop the bleeding giving Mr. Nebicher a better chance for recovery."
"Of course, Doctor," replied Roxanne. She followed the doctor to the room Wally was located in.
Just before they reached the entrance door of the ICU, Dr. Tyler stopped and turned to Roxanne. "I have to warn you. You may be shocked by what you see."
She nodded in understanding. She was given a green hospital issue coat to wear and a pair of covers for her shoes just before they entered the ICU. "Shocked" was an understatement for Roxanne. She was taken aback as she stood just inside the doorway, her whole awareness focusing on Wally. He appeared so shrunken and vulnerable. He was almost as pale as the sheets he was lying on. His right arm lay lax outside the thermal blanket he was covered with, IV needles taped into place. Tubes hung from an IV tree, delivering clear liquids and blood into his system. A large white pressure pad on his left shoulder was partially soaked with blood. His left arm was in a sling. A large tube coming out of his mouth was attached to a flexible plastic hose hooked up to a ventilator. Wires from metal disks taped to his head led to a strip recorder on a table beside the bed.
Roxanne stared transfixed at the rapid, repeating pattern beeping on the cardiac monitor over his head. "Oh, Wally," she breathed. She had to drag her eyes away from the hypnotic pattern as she heard the doctor saying something to her.
"...need to get started Ms. Caldwell." Dr. Tyler waited for her response. He had seen the look of utter shock on her face at seeing his patient.
Roxanne turned to the doctor with a renewed sense of determination and urgency. She had to help out Wally any way she could. She followed the doctor as he lead her to a bed that had been set up parallel to the bed Wally was lying on and requested she lie down. She laid down on the bed. Dr. Tyler and some nurses started to set up the machinery necessary for the transfusion. Within minutes, they had the equipment set up and the blood transfusion was initiated.
Trying to ignore the machines, Roxanne kept her gaze on Wally hoping to see any sign of improvement. As she lay there, she realized just how close she had come to losing Wally. With that awareness came the revelation of how much Wally really meant to her. She couldn't lose him. Not now.
After half an hour, the transfusion was completed. Dr. Tyler advised Roxanne to stay there and rest for the time being. He would monitor Wally's vital signs, which were already showing signs of improvement. She felt a little unsteady and complied by lying back on the bed.
Five minutes passed before the doctor came up to Roxanne. "He's stabilized enough to perform the surgery and is being transferred to the Operating Room as we speak. If you're feeling better, I'll have a nurse escort you back to the waiting room. I'll bring you news of his condition as soon as I can."
"Thank you, Doctor." Roxanne told the doctor just before he left on his way to the operating room. She slowly sat up. A nurse came to her bed and escorted her back to the waiting room, where Jack and the captain eagerly waited for any news on Wally. When she arrived, they bombarded her with questions. She waved them away as she found her way to one of the chairs. She still felt a little spent. They gave her a bit of breathing room, but she still saw the questioning looks on their faces. She let out a small sigh before informing them, "The transfusion worked and they're operating on him right now. Dr. Tyler said he would bring me more news of Wally's condition as soon as he could." She spread out across the chairs and dozed off.
After half an hour, Dr. Tyler came into the waiting room. Jack gently shook Roxanne awake upon seeing the doctor knowing she would definitely want to hear what the doctor had to say. She slowly sat up rubbing sleep out of her eyes. Jack and the captain stood on either side of Roxanne. All of them were looking at the doctor with expectant expressions.
"The transfusion and operation were a success," said Dr. Tyler with a small smile. "He's in serious but stable condition. He's back in the ICU and no longer in a coma, but he is still unconscious. He's off the ventilator and breathing on his own as well. We're monitoring his blood pressure, which is still a little lower than I would like, and his heart rate, which is still a little higher than I would like. He is showing improvement, however."
"Can we see him?" asked Roxanne. She found she desperately wanted to see him so she could verify for herself that he was going to be all right.
Tyler considered her request for a couple of seconds. His patient was out of immediate danger and was actually starting to show improvement. He couldn't see any reason why they couldn't see him as long as they kept their visits brief. "Yes, I'll permit it. You can see him one at a time, but I must ask that you limit your visits to only a couple of minutes."
"I'd like to see him first," said Captain Boyd, astonishing both Jack and Roxanne. They would have expected him to be the last person to want to see Wally. He saw the surprised looks on their faces and added, "I need to get back to the precinct soon, and I want to see how he is doing for myself." He wasn't willing to admit to either Curtis or Caldwell, but he was worried about Nebisher himself.
Jack grinned to himself as he briefly saw the worry flash across the captain's face before the captain masked it. He had suspected for some time that the captain had developed a soft spot for Wally. Now he was certain.
"All right, Captain. If you'll follow me," said Dr. Tyler. The doctor lead the captain to the entrance to the ICU. The captain was issued a green hospital issue coat to wear and a pair of covers for his shoes just before they entered the ICU. Dr. Tyler pointed out the bed to the captain and then excused himself so he could let the ICU staff know that he had allowed visitors to Nebicher's bed for a short amount of time.
The captain took in Nebicher's appearance. He looked so defenseless compared to the strong young man he'd gotten to know and even grudgingly respect. He was pale. His right hand lay lax outside the thermal blanket he was covered with, an IV needle taped into place. Tubes hung from an IV tree, dripping clear liquids into his system. A fresh white pad was on his left shoulder, and his left arm was secured in a sling. A nasal oxygen tube was on his face. Wires from metal disks taped to his head lead to a strip recorder on a table beside the bed. A cardiac monitor beeped in a slightly rapid pattern over his head.
The captain looked up as a nurse approached his position. "They can hear people while they're unconscious, sometimes," she offered. "If you want to tell him you're here."
Uncomfortable and not really knowing what else to do, the captain seized on the suggestion. "Hey, kid," he said quietly as if afraid he might wake him up. "It's Captain Boyd."
A muscle twitched on Wally's face.
"Can you really hear me?" asked the captain wonderingly.
A muscle twitched again, deep in Wally's face.
The nurse hastily took a look at the EEG and checked the IV flow before quickly turning to the captain saying, "I'm getting the doctor. It looks like Mr. Nebicher is starting to show signs of waking up." She left the captain's side.
The doctor came to the captain's side moments later. "I hear Mr. Nebicher is showing signs of waking up."
"That's what the nurse told me. If you'll excuse me, Doctor, I must get back to the station. I'm sure Curtis and Caldwell want to see him as well."
"Of course, Captain. I'll escort you to the waiting room, so I can tell them the good news."
Just before they turned to leave, the captain turned back to Nebicher's bed. "Get better soon, kid." he said.
Both the captain and the doctor left the ICU and headed for the waiting room. Jack and Roxanne looked at them expectantly. They noticed the smiles on both the captain's and the doctor's faces.
The captain spoke up first. "The doctor here has some good news for you about Nebish, so I won't spoil his chance to tell you. I, unfortunately, have to get back to the station." He turned to Jack. "Keep me informed on Nebicher's condition."
Jack realized the captain had called Wally "Nebish". 'Must be good news,' he thought with a smile. 'He called him by his usual nickname for him.' "Yes, sir," Jack said out loud. He and Roxanne watched as the captain headed out of the waiting room before turning their attention back to the doctor. "What is this good news you have about Wally?" asked Jack.
"Looks like Mr. Nebicher is showing signs of waking up," replied Dr. Tyler.
Jack and Roxanne smiled. "That really is good news," said Roxanne smiling.
"I know both of you want to see him, but I am still going to have to restrict his visits to only one of you at a time. You will also have to limit your visits to only a couple of minutes."
"In that case, I'd like to go next," said Jack with a fixed determination.
"All right. If you'll follow me," said the doctor. He lead Jack to the ICU, gave Jack a green hospital issue coat to wear and a pair of covers for her shoes just before they entered the ICU. Dr. Tyler turned to Jack and said, "His bed is over there." He pointed to Wally's bed. "You can go on ahead. I'm going to get a quick update on his condition."
Jack silently nodded watching Dr. Tyler head towards the nurses station and start quietly conversing with the on-duty nurse. He quietly approached Wally's bed. He was heartened by the sight that greeted his eyes. Although Wally still appeared pale, he wasn't nearly as pale as when Jack had first seen him in that old office building. His right hand lay lax outside the thermal blanket he was covered with, an IV needle taped into place. Tubes hung from an IV tree, dripping clear liquids into his system. A fresh white pad was on his left shoulder, and his left arm was secured in a sling. A nasal oxygen tube was on his face. Wires from metal disks taped to his head lead to a strip recorder on a table beside the bed. A cardiac monitor beeped in a slightly rapid pattern over his head.
Jack moved awkwardly past the visitor's chair to the side of the bed. He looked down at his friend, unable to think of anything to say or do. He felt almost as helpless as Wally looked. Wally lay still, remote.
Dr. Tyler saw Jack's hesitation and look of loss. He quietly approached Mr. Nebicher's bed. "Sometimes people can still hear you even though they're unconscious. Maybe if you told him you're here."
Jack seized on the suggestion gratefully. "Wally?" he said quietly, as if afraid he might wake the patient up. "It's Jack. I came to see how you're doing." He smiled a little as he quietly jested, "Can't seem to stay out of trouble, can you?"
A muscle twitched on Wally's face.
"Can you really hear me?" asked Jack wonderingly.
A muscle twitched again, deep in Wally's face.
Both the doctor and Jack saw Wally's reaction. "He is unquestionably showing signs of waking up," said Dr. Tyler.
"The captain left for the station, but Roxanne's still here." Jack saw the corners of Wally's mouth marginally curve upward in an extremely faint smile at the mention of Roxanne's name. "I know she'll want to see you, so I'll cut my visit short. See you later."
The doctor turned to him. "I'll show you the way out." He escorted Jack back to the waiting room where Roxanne waited. When she saw a smile on the lieutenant's face, she knew then that she had to see Wally. Both the doctor and Jack saw her determination to see Wally.
Noticing her intense desire, Dr. Tyler stated, "Let me escort you to the ICU. I have some notes I need to make on Mr. Nebicher's chart." He lead her back to the ICU and again issued her a green hospital issue coat to wear and a pair of covers for her shoes. Remembering the last time she had seen Wally in the ICU, Roxanne hesitated near the entrance to the ICU unsure what she might encounter. The doctor quickly allayed her fears, "He is doing much better since you last saw him. I can assure you." She accepted his reassurance and stepped into the ICU.
Although Wally still appeared pale, he wasn't nearly as pale as when Roxanne had first seen him in the ICU. His right hand lay lax outside the thermal blanket he was covered with, an IV needle taped into place. Tubes hung from an IV tree, dripping clear liquids into his system. A fresh white pad was on his left shoulder, and his left arm was secured in a sling. A nasal oxygen tube was on his face. Wires from metal disks taped to his head lead to a strip recorder on a table beside the bed. A cardiac monitor beeped in a slower, more steady pattern over his head.
The doctor had taken Wally's chart from the end of the bed and went to the nurses' station making notes on it as he went. Roxanne walked up to the side of the bed. She dragged a nearby chair closer to Wally's bed and sat in it. "Hi, Wally," she quietly greeted. "It's Roxanne." She saw a small smile form on his face. "I know our jobs can be dangerous, but I never thought something like this might happen." She carefully took his right hand in hers being careful not to disturb the IV tube as she absently, gently stroked part of the back of his hand with her thumb. "Jack and Automan even the captain are pretty worried about you. We all are."
Roxanne paused, not sure what to say anymore. She wasn't even sure Wally could hear her. It felt right to talk, but at the same time, she was uncomfortable doing it. 'I can't leave. I want to stay right here until Wally wakes up, but I can't sit here in silence either,' thought she. Out loud, she said, "I need you, Wally. You've become such a part of my life." She didn't necessarily want to bring him up, but she knew of another person that needed Wally almost as much as she did. "Automan needs you just as much or maybe more. You two are closer than close." She paused before saying with some edginess, "God, I wish you would just wake up."
She saw Dr. Tyler heading towards her and said, "I have to go, Wally. The doctor is only letting me visit for a short time." Roxanne hesitated before softly admitting, "I love you." She stood up, leaned over, and gently kissed Wally on the lips. She carefully squeezed Wally's hand then started to pull away.
She jerked back when she felt pressure on her hand.
"Wally?" she asked hopefully, unsure whether or not she had only imagined him squeezing her hand.
She squeezed Wally's hand again, a bit harder this time. And then waited.
Moments passed as if they were centuries. And then she felt it, Wally was squeezing her hand, harder this time. Joy leapt through her body. Could it be true? Could Wally finally be awake?
"Wally?" she asked again more excited as the doctor reached her side.
Roxanne waited keeping a steady gaze on Wally's face. 'Come on, love. Open those beautiful brown eyes of yours,' she silently pleaded. As if in ordinance with her silent plea, his gorgeous brown eyes opened and he looked up at her. "Wally!" she exclaimed joyfully.
"Roxanne," he whispered weakly in reply, smiling.
She wanted so much to hug him right then and there, but she was afraid she might dislodge the IV and other delicate equipment attached to him. She settled for holding his hand. She found that he was holding hers in return.
Wally looked questioningly to the man standing beside Roxanne.
"Wally, this is Dr. Tyler. He's been your attending physician," explained Roxanne.
"Oh," whispered Wally.
"I need to perform some routine tests, then I'll have you transferred to a private room in the police ward." said the doctor to Nebicher. He saw Nebicher carefully nod in understanding. Dr. Tyler turned to Roxanne. "Why don't you tell Lieutenant Curtis the good news? Something tells me that he would rather hear the news from you, than me. I'll come and tell both of you which room he's been transferred to."
Roxanne was reluctant to leave Wally's side, but she knew the lieutenant would want to know that Wally was awake. She squeezed Wally's hand one last time and felt him squeeze her hand in return before they both reluctantly let go. She headed for the waiting room with a joyful smile on her face.
Jack saw Roxanne approaching the waiting room. She had an enormous smile on her face, and he knew she must have excellent news for him. "Well, how is he?" asked Jack referring to Wally.
Roxanne couldn't hide her excitement. "He's awake!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Dr. Tyler's performing some routine tests on him right now, then the doctor's going to transfer him to a private room in the police ward. The doctor said he'd come and tell us which room he's been transferred to."
"That's great!" exclaimed Jack, beaming himself at the wonderful news. He remembered the worried look that briefly flashed across the captain's face as well as Agent Mann's worried look after he had laid Wally on the stretcher and added, "We have to let the captain and Agent Mann know."
"I'll tell them," said Roxanne. She knew exactly how to reach the captain. She had an idea on a way to contact Automan, but it would have to wait until the doctor told her which room Wally was being transferred to. She knew the captain was going to be pleased upon hearing the news. She was looking forward to telling Automan as well. She headed towards the nearest pay phone still smiling joyfully.
A/N: Whew...long chapter! -wipes sweat from her face- Hope you enjoyed it. :) Again, thanks for the reviews! Sorry for the late Update!