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. 14--On The Road To Recovery
Wally lie in the private room the doctor recently had him transferred to. Dr. Tyler had said he would keep him there for at least 48 more hours. He wanted to observe him for the first twenty-four hours to make sure Wally didn't relapse, and Dr. Tyler had said Wally's electrolytes were still out of balance. He wanted to bring his electrolytes closer to normal levels before he released Wally. Wally told the doctor he wanted to be awake when Roxanne and Jack came to the room, so Dr. Tyler had given him some mild pain medication. It was just enough to take the edge off of the pain without making him drowsy.
He looked to the door as it opened. Jack, Roxanne, and Automan--disguised of course as Federal Agent Mann in his typical white shirt, black tie, and black three piece suit--walked into the room. "Look who we found, or I should say who found us," said Roxanne with a smile referring to Auto.
"Auto! You're here!" feebly exclaimed Wally, smiling. He hadn't expected Automan to show up for some time. Wally couldn't remember when Automan had last recharged and figured Auto would be wherever he goes to recharge.
"Walter, glad to see you're awake," responded Automan, smiling himself. Walter looked pale and weak yet, and he had lines of pain around his eyes, but he was awake and responsive. That was enough for Auto right now.
Roxanne and Jack walked to the right side of the bed. Auto positioned himself on the left almost as if he were guarding Wally from any further harm.
Wally very carefully slid over in the bed to make room for Roxanne to sit down on the bed next to him. She delicately sat down on the bed next to Wally and edged as close to him as she dared without interfering with the IV tube still connected to his right hand. She tenderly 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 sat in the visitor's chair before saying, "Have any idea how long they're keeping you in here?"
"Well, Dr. Tyler said he wanted to keep me here for at least 48 more hours," replied Wally, his voice much weaker than usual. "Something about observation so I don't relapse. He also said something about bringing my electrolytes closer to normal levels before releasing me." He paused. "Have you been able to find out who set us up?"
Wally saw Jack and Auto share a look between them as if silently asking each other how to break the news and who should be the one to disclose the news. He looked from one to the other. "What is it?"
Jack sighed deciding he would be the one to tell Wally. "Wally, do you remember Ronald Tilson?"
Wally looked to Auto, who silently nodded. Yeah, Wally remembered Tilson. How he had LA in his frightening grip; how he and his associate had nearly killed his friend Bart Johnston and Automan; and how he had nearly blown the LAPD municipal building sky high. Oh yeah, Wally remembered him. "But I thought he was locked up?" asked Wally out loud, confused.
"He was," said Jack.
"We suspect he broke out. We also know he's hiding in Long Beach, which is in close proximity to Los Angeles," Automan took up the conversation. "I've requested the captain put 24-hour surveillance/protection on your room to prevent Tilson from making a second attempt." Auto pointed to a corner near the ceiling.
Wally looked to the place Automan was pointing to and saw a video surveillance camera installed in the room. Wally didn't even want to consider a second attempt. Heck, he was still recovering from the first attempt.
Roxanne noticed how tense Wally had gotten and attempted to lighten the mood. "Well, at least we know you're safe and sound, right now." She gently squeezed his hand. Wally squeezed her hand back.
"Yeah, Roxanne's right," said Jack. He stood up and put his hand on Wally's right shoulder. He glanced at the clock on the wall realizing he had been at the hospital for close to three hours. He decided he best get back to the station as well. "Wally, I have to get back to the station, but I'll see you tomorrow." Jack saw Wally nod. He bid his farewell to Agent Mann and Roxanne before walking out of the room.
Wally winced suddenly and writhered from unexpected pain. Roxanne looked at him with concern. "Wally, what's wrong?" asked Roxanne.
Wally didn't want to distress her, but his shoulder was starting to ache. "My shoulder. It hurts." He squeezed his eyes shut against the pain when he inadvertently put pressure on his injured shoulder as he tried to find a slightly more comfortable position.
Roxanne let go of his hand and stood up. "I'm getting Dr. Tyler. Maybe he can give you something for the pain. I'll be back."
Roxanne saw Wally nod before she left the room.
Auto carefully came closer to the left side of Wally's bed. "I may be able to help reduce the pain, but it will only be temporary."
Wally looked to Automan unsure what Auto had in mind. His shoulder was really starting to bother him, and anything that might ease the pain was welcomed. "Okay," he said, the pain evident in his voice.
Auto saw Walter tense up slightly as he gently laid his left hand a quarter of an inch above Walter's injured left shoulder. "Relax," soothed Auto trying to ease Walter's nervousness. He radiated an extremely low electrical field to vasodilate the blood vessels in Walter's shoulder. The increased blood flow to the area made the muscles slowly relax. Auto kept a close watch on Walter's face to see if his "temporary pain reliever" was helping. He saw some of the pain slowly recede from Walter's face.
Wally looked at Auto's hand. The pain had decreased to a more bearable level. He shifted his gaze to Auto's face. "Thanks, Auto. That helped."
Automan smiled and nodded before removing his hand. He took a couple of steps away from the bed resuming his almost custodial stance.
Moments later, Roxanne arrived with Dr. Tyler. Roxanne walked into the room, but Dr. Tyler suddenly stopped in the doorway.
Dr. Tyler watched as Ms. Caldwell walked past the tall, blond stranger in the three piece suit unfazed heading towards his patient. He stood evaluating the danger this man might have posed to Nebicher. He had strict orders to report any unfamiliar persons to security right away. He turned to make that report when he heard Nebicher weakly yell out behind him, "No! Wait! Ah..." He turned back to see Nebicher sit up a second before suddenly fainting, his body starting to collapse backwards towards the bed. His right hand, which had been clutched over his left shoulder, suddenly went lax. His face had turned a deathly shade of white.
"Wally!" exclaimed Ms. Caldwell alarmed. She swiftly covered the rest of the distance to the bed heading for the right side of the bed. Dr. Tyler entered the room rapidly heading for his patient himself; his worries about the tall, blond stranger forgotten for the time being as he was consumed with worry for his patient.
Dr. Tyler had seen the blond man simultaneously spin around with concern for his patient and also exclaim in alarm, "Walter!" With two long strides, the blond stranger instantly covered the distance to the left side of the bed. The stranger was the first one to reach Nebicher, and he immediately caught Nebicher carefully supporting him by placing his left arm across Nebicher's back--being extremely careful of Nebicher's injured shoulder--and cradling Nebicher's head in his right hand as he ever so tenderly lowered Nebicher back to the bed. Once Nebicher was laying down, he removed his arm and hand from Nebicher's back and head. The stranger stayed close to the bed gazing down at Nebicher with the same look of intense worry in his blue eyes the doctor had only seen on people with close bonds to his patients. Color slowly started coming back into Nebicher's face. After a few seconds, Nebicher's eyes fluttered open and he focused pain-filled eyes on the other young man. He weakly asked, his voice barely above a whisper, "Auto?"
"Yes, Walter," softly responded the blond man, his voice soothing.
"What...happened?" Nebicher's voice was slowly gaining in strength.
"You fainted."
Dr. Tyler saw Nebicher weakly nod in understanding before Nebicher focused his attention on Dr. Tyler himself, who was standing next to the tall, blond stranger. Dr. Tyler saw recognition enter Nebicher's eyes, and Nebicher quickly focused his attention back to the other young man, the brief surge of adrenaline giving him added strength. He reached towards the stranger's right wrist and clamped down, his grip pitifully weak. "Auto,... he was... about... to call... security... on you. I... couldn't... let him," Dr. Tyler heard Nebicher strain to explain to the tall man. Nebicher's face paled slightly as his strength was sapped from trying to explain. Somehow, Nebicher still held onto the blond man's wrist, though.
"It's okay, Walter," responded the blond stranger in that same soothing voice. He leaned over, so Nebicher wasn't reaching so far over his body. He gently put his left hand over Nebicher's hand being careful of the IV tube. "We'll deal with that situation should it arise. Relax." Nebicher seemed to relax letting go of the other young man's wrist. The blond man carefully placed Nebicher's hand on the right side of the bed and straightened up.
Caldwell, the stranger, and Nebicher all looked to the doctor to see what he would do.
After seeing the obvious concern this stranger had for his patient and the easy rapport that seemed to exist between Nebicher and this tall, blond stranger, Dr. Tyler realized this person posed no threat to his patient. "Don't worry, Mr. Nebicher. I won't call security on your friend." Dr. Tyler saw Nebicher relax at that statement. The doctor continued, "Introductions can wait. First, let's do something about your shoulder. Seems the pain medicine I gave you has worn off. Looks like I'm going to have to give you something stronger, unfortunately I have to warn you one of the side effects is drowsiness."
Wally carefully nodded his understanding, too weak to talk.
"Okay. I'll be right back with the medication." Dr. Tyler left the room.
Wally carefully positioned himself so most of the weight of his body was on his right side before looking to Automan and then Roxanne. "Guess... I... over... did... it, ...didn't ...I?" he asked sheepishly with a great deal of effort, his voice weak and reflecting the pain he still felt.
"Yes, you did," admonished Roxanne with a displeased look. She gently held onto his right hand again being careful of the IV tube. "Don't you ever scare me like that again."
"Yes, ...ma'am," replied Wally with mock seriousness, weakly grinning despite the pain.
Auto smiled at the playful exchange between Walter and Roxanne. He carefully placed his right hand a quarter of an inch above Walter's left shoulder again radiating the low energy field.
Wally felt the some of the pain slowly receding from his injured shoulder and looked to see Auto's right hand carefully resting a quarter of an inch above his shoulder. He heard Roxanne ask with some concern, "Automan, what are you doing?"
Knowing what Automan was doing and already starting to feel the beneficial effects, Wally quickly reassured her, his voice growing a little stronger with the decrease in pain, "It's okay, ...Roxanne. He's helping... to ease some... of the pain."
"I am forcing the muscles in Walter's shoulder to relax. It will help alleviate the recent strain Walter put on his shoulder, but it is only a temporary solution. For longer-lasting pain relief, Walter will still require the pain medication," explained Automan to Roxanne. He turned his attention to Walter before removing his hand. "Roxanne's right. You did 'overdo it '."
"O... K, ...I'll be ...more careful," acceded Wally with effort.
Dr. Tyler came back into the room with a filled, capped syringe. Roxanne moved out of the way as he came near the right side of Wally's bed. He inserted the medicine into the IV bag hanging on the pole before turning to Wally. "We better make the introduction quick. I'm afraid this medicine is fast-acting."
Wally nodded all ready beginning to feel the pain recede into the distance as well as feeling slightly drowsy. Dr. Tyler wasn't kidding when he said the medicine would have an immediate effect on him. He said with some effort, "Dr. Tyler, ...this is ...my good friend, ...Federal ...Agent ...Otto ...Mann." Wally weakly motioned to Auto. "Auto, ...this is ...Doctor ...John ...Tyler. He's been... my... attending... physician."
"Well, then I owe him considerable gratitude for taking such good care of you," replied Auto as he and Dr. Tyler shook hands with Dr. Tyler receiving a slight shock.
They all turned to Wally in time to see him stifle a yawn.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to cut your visit short. Mr. Nebicher needs to rest," apologized Dr. Tyler with some regret. He could see the beneficial affect these two were having on his patient and disliked having to force them to cut their visit short.
"Yes, Doctor," replied Roxanne.
"Of course, Dr. Tyler," replied Auto.
The doctor nodded at their acceptance. "Well, I have more patients to look after so I will bid you all a good night." He turned to Nebicher. "I will be back to monitor your progress later." He saw Nebicher weakly nod just before he left the room.
Wally turned back to Roxanne and Auto. He could feel himself becoming more tired every minute.
"Unfortunately, I am also feeling a bit out of sorts. I'll see you tomorrow, Walter" said Auto.
Wally weakly nodded and replied with effort, "See you, ...Auto." Roxanne nodded her farewell to Automan. Wally watched with slight dismay as Auto disappeared. He stifled another yawn before turning to Roxanne.
"Take care, love. I'll see you tomorrow as well," said Roxanne gently. She leaned over and gently, but passionately, kissed him for a few seconds feeling him readily return the kiss. She squeezed Wally's hand and felt him weakly squeeze her hand in return before they both reluctantly let go. Before reaching the door, Roxanne turned back to the bed. Wally had fallen fast asleep. "Sleep well, love," she quietly whispered before exiting the room.
Later that night, Wally woke up. The pain medication the doctor had given to him earlier was still working, so his shoulder wasn't really sore just sort of tense and uncomfortable. He tried getting back to sleep tossing and turning trying to find a more comfortable position, which seemed to elude him.
Automan had tapped into the security camera the captain had placed in Walter's room to protect him. He saw Walter tossing and turning trying desperately to get into a more comfortable position so he could get back to sleep. 'His shoulder must be bothering him again. I think I can help,' thought Auto. He asked the computer controlling the camera if it could loop the video footage so the camera wouldn't catch him materializing in Walter's room.
"Of course, Automan," replied the computer. It started looping the video footage.
A sudden shaking occurred in Wally's room as Automan materialized by drawing power from the hospital's disused secondary generators so as not to draw energy from any vital equipment. Wally was alerted to Automan's imminent arrival by the sudden shaking. He opened his eyes to see Auto standing in the room. He asked in a sleepy voice, "Auto? Wha' are you doin' here?"
Automan came closer to the left side of Walter's bed before saying, "I came to help." He carefully placed his left hand just above Walter's left shoulder radiating an extremely low electrical field to vasodilate the blood vessels in Walter's shoulder. The increased blood flow to the area made the muscles slowly relax. Auto kept a close watch on Walter's face to see if his "tension reliever" was having any affect. He saw the discomfort slowly recede from Walter's face.
Wally looked at Auto's hand. The tension he had previously felt in his shoulder was almost gone. He shifted his gaze to Auto's face and said, "Thanks, Auto." He gave Auto a grateful smile before he closed his eyes as he felt himself slowly drift off to sleep.
"You're welcome, Walter," replied Auto, smiling. He was glad he was able to help. He removed his hand from Walter's shoulder and carefully rearranged the blankets so they covered Walter again. After considering the nightmare they had both recently lived through, Auto quietly added, "Sweet dreams." He wasn't sure Walter had heard his last statement, but he realized Walter had when he saw a faint smile form on his face just before his breathing evened out as he fell into a deep, healing sleep. Knowing his presence was no longer required, Automan disappeared from the room.
The computer controlling the camera released the video looping. When security looked at the camera footage the next day, they only saw Walter tossing and turning and then him sleeping soundly. They figured a camera glitch.