1Chapter 7
Heart Monitor
We moved down the hospital corridor in a pack. Hospital corridors are always better negotiated this way. They don't seem as cold, your feet don't echo so loudly, and so forth. And it was nice to hear that everyone was chatting away naturally. Dale was insisting to Jules (much to his horror) that Kablamo Man comics were ten times better than any Sureluck Jones novel. Monterey was rambling on about 'the good old days in Australia' to Sophia, and Zipper was pulling loop-de-loops in the air around Dale's ear, saying he was crazy.
I alone didn't feel like joining in. I felt separated from the Rangers, somehow. They didn't feel complete; something was missing from the warm, welcoming, understanding, and accepting atmosphere that was usually around them. They had been nothing but kind and considerate to me since I had been released from Doctor Collin's ward on the ship. But something, no, someone was missing.
Chip was doing much better. The heart monitor was gone, much to my relief, and his oxygen mask had been removed earlier that day. That was why everyone was so happy. Chip would be released within three days, the doctors were all saying on the phone. I was just as happy as the rest of them, but I still dreaded his release because I knew he wouldn't be allowed to speak.
"You're here!" cheered an young female orderly in Russian. Sophia translated for us. "He is breathing well, and I'm sure he'll wake up soon!"
Everyone else went wild, but I just smiled to myself. Jules looked at me and frowned. I forced the grin a little wider. "Are you all right, my dear?" He whispered to me, drawing me to the side.
"Yes, I think so," I answered faintly.
"It was terrible, what you went through. I'm sorry I didn't come back for you, but he..." Jules seemed puzzled as to what to say.
"It's all right. The assassin scared everyone. I'm just glad it's over," I breathed, rubbing at my chilled arms.
"Yes. Over, dear. And you never have to go through it again." He patted my back and left me for the group again.
"You can come in and see him now, if you like," grinned the orderly.
"Yes!" Dale jumped up and down, bracing his broken arm with his good one, grinning like a maniac. I couldn't help laughing a bit at him. Just as long as he contained himself this time. The last time Chip had a near-to-death experience, Dale had bowled him over in ecstasy. I didn't think Chip would appreciate that today quite as much as he had then.
Chip's room was full of natural light, filtered only by the sheers on the window. Chip was a little ball of brown fur snuggled up under the blankets. He looked pretty cute and innocent, lying there. Despite my mood, I indulged in one of those smiles that humans do whenever they see him and Dale in the park.
"Can we wake him up, can we, can we?" begged Dale of the doctor who had appeared seemingly out of thin air.
He doctor chuckled and spoke through a rich accent, "Speak all you like, friend. I am sure he will hear you."
"Chipper!" Dale shouted and launched himself towards the bed. Monterey caught him in mid-flight.
"'E didn't say you could wake 'im up, pally. He just said you could talk. Not shou'."
Beside me, Sophia chuckled quietly. "They are very good friends, are they not, Gadget?"
"Golly, Chip and Dale are best friends."
"Chip and Dale. Chip and Dale. It sounds...catchy, right?"
I looked over at her and grinned. I liked Sophia a lot. "It is, isn't it?"
"Chip and Dale and the Rescue Rangers...yes, it's very catchy!" Sophia smiled broadly at me.
I nodded. "Very. Dale, you'd better be quiet," I warned. Dale was swinging on Monty's arm, trying to get to Chip.
The doctor laughed loudly. "I doubt you could awaken him. He has not woken yet. Although...he does try to talk, sometimes."
"Really?" I asked. "What does he say?" So Chip talked in his sleep, huh?
Before the doctor could answer, Dale piped in. "He always talks in his sleep, but don't try to tell him that!"
We all looked at Dale, unprofessionally curious. Monty set Dale down and he continued. "He talks about Fat Cat and Nimnul and stuff all the time! And sometimes," he laughed, "he yells at me!"
We all laughed, even Sophia and Jules. The doctor nodded good-naturedly. "I have not heard him speak of 'Fat Cat', but he has tried to say all your names."
Dale's eyes got watery, and I was sure he would burst out crying any second.
"And it was strange he should say...is one of you called?...how did he say it... 'Gadget?'"
I didn't say anything. I guess I blushed though, because Sophia turned her green cat-eyes on me. Monterey saved me from responding. "I kin imagine 'e said that a time 'er two."
The doctor chuckled and turned to leave. "Oh, if you can awaken him, it would not be a bad idea." And then he was gone.
Dale turned and bolted for Chip's bed again. "Chipper! Chip, wake up!" Before Monty or I could do anything, Dale was shaking Chip's shoulders.
"Wait a minute, 'old up there!" And Monterey scooped him out of the way again. I moved over to the bed to see if there was any noticeable damage. Chip didn't seem to have been overly disturbed, so I swung around and looked up at Dale.
"You know, you have to be careful, Dale. Chip will wake up when it's time for him to."
"But he's been asleep for days," he moaned, looking sadly at Chip. "I want him to wake up." Monterey planted him on the floor again.
"So do we all, Dale," said Monterey, looking down at Chip.
I continued to stand with my back to Chip, talking to Dale and Monterey. "You know, speaking from a strictly psychiatric point of view, when someone has amnesia or has been in a coma for a long time, sometimes little details can bring them out. You know, things that the victim noticed right before their accident. Anything could do it. A familiar voice, a taste, a scent-"
"Gadget?"
Monterey made a sort of gagging noise. Dale sniffed and leaned around me. "Chip..."
I spun back around. Chip was awake, staring fixedly at me, reaching for my paw. "Gadg..."
I nearly screamed I was so happy. Before I could do anything, Dale had moved me out of the way and gently sat Chip up and was hugging him. "Chipper, Chipper, oh, ChipChipChipChip!"
Monterey cleared his throat. "One side, everyone. 'Ol Monterey Jack is comin' through!" And he sidestepped me and joined Dale in hugging our friend.
Through all the sobbing and hysterical laughing, I could hear Chip's muffled, rasping voice trying to talk to them.
I was teary-eyed with happiness, but I couldn't move to join them. Dale, Monty, and Zipper, who had been hugging Chip's ears, finally let go of him and looked at me expectantly. I didn't think I could move.
"Well, are you gonna hug me or not?" rasped Chip.
That did it. I burst into tears and threw myself at the poor guy. It was worth the wait to feel his arms around my back, hugging me as tightly as he could.