DISCLAIMER: STILL DON'T BELONG TO ME.
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Nearly there!
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Chapter 51: Persuasion.
Virgil released a heavy sigh, as he glanced around his empty ward room. It was only 5am, his father was currently at the hotel and getting some much-needed rest. It had been agreed between them both that Jeff would spend the evenings at the hotel, under the condition that if he was to have a nightmare he would contact his dad via his watch. Virgil had stuck to this arrangement, knowing that if he didn't his dad would find out via one of the nurses and he would then refuse to leave him alone. The reason he was awake now though wasn't because he'd been having any bad dreams, it was because he had woken up in pain an hour before, one of the night nurses had given him some pain relief straight away but unfortunately, he hadn't yet fallen back asleep.
Instead Virgil lay there pondering the past 3 days that had passed since his brothers and grandma had flown back to Tracy Island. For Virgil it had felt like a lot longer. Boredom had quickly settled in without his brothers for company, his father had done his best to keep him occupied but it wasn't the same as having four brothers and their constant chatter nearby. He certainly hadn't regretted insisting that they return home. Especially, since they had been called out on a mission within 6 hours of announcing International Rescue were back in business. Virgil had begun to naturally worry about his siblings being out on the field without sufficient rest. However, Jeff had helped with the anxiety he had been feeling by having the communications from the rescue fed through to both of their watches.
Releasing another deep breath in frustration at the lack of sleep he had gotten, Virgil racked his head for some way to stop his wondering mind. Looking at his bedside table, Virgil smiled when he received the answer he was looking for. Pulling the bear that Alan had gifted him into his arms, Virgil pressed the belly of the aptly named 'Ally Bear' and chuckled when it growled back. He then reached out and picked up his music player, put the headphones in, and turned it on. Virgil smiled as he breathed in the magical sound of Liszt's, La Campanella. Then pulling his Ally Bear into his arms, Virgil closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.
… …
8am:
'Well, would you look at that.' Jeff said to himself, when he stepped into his sons' private room. Virgil was fast asleep, his arm was wrapped tightly around the bear which clung to his chest, while his headphones remained in his ears and his music player rested on the bed, and a carefree smile adorned his face. Watching Virgil sleeping like this, Jeff couldn't help casting his mind back to when his son was very young and would carry his childhood toy Boo Bear everywhere. The thing was practically attached to him and it became a nightmare to prise it away when they needed to wash the thing. Jeff chuckled to himself as the memories of his son as young boy continued to conjure in his mind.
"I bet you wished you had a camera?" Doctor Sylvia said, bringing Jeff out of his thoughts.
"He would probably throttle me if I took a picture," Jeff chuckled, greeting Gerry with a friendly handshake, "how was he during the night?"
Gerry opened the file he held in his hand. "He woke around 4am needing pain relief."
"Oh!"
Gerry placed his hand supportively on Jeff's shoulder. "Don't worry, Virgil only came off the intravenous drugs yesterday morning, he will get used to the pills, it will just take time."
"I know," Jeff sighed, "I just hate seeing him in any pain."
"That I can understand!"
"He keeps trying to hide it from me, last night he insisted that he had been okay, and the tablets were working."
"He's trying to protect you?"
Jeff nodded. "Kids! They are so reliant on us as children, but as soon as they realise we're not indestructible they start trying to do everything they can to protect us… Plus, Virgil's got that damn Tracy pride!"
"The double whammy!" Gerry chuckled.
"Yep!"
Gerry pointed to Virgil. "Looks like he's stirring."
Jeff moved over to Virgil's bed and dropped into the chair, smiling as he watched his son yawn and open his eyes, and immediately become embarrassed by being found with the bear in his arms. "Morning."
"Morning dad," Virgil said, trying to suppress a yawn and hide the bear at the same time, "morning Doc."
"Good morning Virgil," Gerry replied.
"So, what's the days schedule?" Virgil asked, finally managing to stuff the bear under the blanket.
"Well," Gerry began, trying to suppress his laughter, "we've got you booked in for some light physio on your shoulder later this morning, followed by some routine checks on your back and legs."
"Any idea when I'll be able to get the leg casts and this back support off?"
"I'm afraid they will have to stay on for several more weeks yet," Gerry confirmed.
Jeff squeezed Virgil's hand softly. "You can't rush your recovery son."
"I know… It's just, I really want to go home!"
"Unfortunately, with the severity of your leg fractures and back injuries, that won't be happening for a while." Gerry explained
"Oh!" Virgil sighed, the disappointment on his face evident.
"I'm sorry I can't give you better news."
"It's okay, it's not your fault," Virgil replied. "I guess I'm just a bit homesick... How long have I been here anyway?"
"Nearly two and a half weeks!" Jeff stated.
"Is that all?" Virgil questioned. "Feels like I've been here for months!"
"Mm, it certainly does," Jeff agreed.
"We could change the scenery for you, well at least for a short time," Gerry suggested.
"How?" Virgil and Jeff both asked.
"Well, you are completely free this afternoon. If you're feeling up to it Virgil, and since it's such a nice day, then we can sort you out a wheelchair." Gerry acknowledged Jeff. "You can take him outside to the hospitals gardens and have lunch together."
"Sounds good to me, what do you think?" Jeff said, glancing towards Virgil.
Virgil smiled and nodded enthusiastically at his father.
"Good," Gerry responded, "now, do you need any medication?"
Virgil shook his head. "Pains not too bad."
"Define, not too bad?" Jeff questioned
"Around a three."
"Virgil, you told me the same yesterday evening and I know you needed some pain relief in the night."
"Oh," Virgil replied, "you know about that?"
"Yes, I do!" Jeff scolded. "Virgil, you shouldn't keep hiding how much pain you're in!"
"Sorry dad... It's just… I don't want you to worry."
"I'm afraid you can't stop the worrying, no matter what you tell me. It's been ingrained in me ever since I became a father!" Jeff informed him. "Now, how bad is it really?"
"Promise not to freak out?"
"How bad?" Jeff questioned, a look of concern creeping onto his face.
"Around a six, maybe slightly more."
"Right, I'll go and get you some pain killers," Gerry said, leaving the room.
Virgil looked at his father apologetically. "Sorry."
Jeff shook his head at Virgil, while stroking his hand through his hair. "Don't be!"
… …
After Virgil had been given his medication, a nurse had entered to help him get washed up. While this was taking place, Jeff had decided to exit the ward room and go and speak privately with Doctor Sylvia. "There's absolutely no chance that he can come home?"
Gerry shook his head. "I'm sorry Jeff, I can understand that after everything he's been through you want to get him back home, and yes, it would probably help with the emotional healing. Nevertheless, he still needs a lot of medical help with his physical recovery."
"What kind of things?" Jeff enquired.
"Quite a lot!" Gerry sighed. "Are you sure you want to know?"
Jeff nodded. "Please tell me."
"Firstly, there's his back fracture, which will need to be frequently examined. Secondly, because of the break he suffered to his legs, and being treated for compartment syndrome, we will need to run consistent checks and scans. Plus, we really don't want him putting any weight on his legs for quite some time yet, so he will be confined to a bed, soft chair or when necessary a wheelchair… And unfortunately, that's not everything!"
"What else?" Jeff asked, almost afraid to know the answer.
Gerry looked at him sympathetically. "Virgil's ribs are still healing, the other cuts and bruises he suffered may have nearly disappeared but we really should keep an eye on some of the ones that haven't, and we will need to continue with the light physio on his right shoulder. Finally, there's the pain that he's very obviously suffering from because of all these injuries."
Jeff grew quiet contemplating what Gerry had said, eventually he decided to speak. "We have a lot of medical equipment back on the island, we couldn't have managed with his initial injuries, but maybe we can now."
Gerry shook his head. "I'm sorry Jeff, even if you do have the equipment to treat him, do you have anyone who has the experience and the know how to look after him?"
"Well, usually any medical help comes from Virgil and Brains."
"Brains, is that his real name?" Gerry questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"It's a nickname that stuck," Jeff said, with a slight laugh, "and he definitely lives up to it!"
"So, this Brains would be able to follow any medical instructions we were to give him?"
"Yes," Jeff confirmed.
"Mm… Well, I'm willing to talk to him and see how much knowledge he does have, would that be possible?"
"Definitely!" Jeff nodded enthusiastically, feeling like he was finally winning Gerry over.
"Okay, then I'll speak to him, but I'm not promising anything," Gerry said firmly, "Virgil's health comes first!"
"I completely agree!"
"So, if I don't feel that Brains would be able to handle everything then we agree to keep Virgil here a little bit longer?"
Jeff nodded his agreement and then checked his watch. "I'll contact Brains now, and tell him to expect your call."
Gerry smiled at Jeff's enthusiasm. "You're eager!"
"It's just… I really want my boy back home!" Jeff stated, before glancing towards Virgil's ward room. "Gerry… Can we please keep this to ourselves for the moment?"
"Yes, of course," Gerry responded. "Any particular reason why?"
"I don't want him to get his hopes up… And if you do say yes, then it would be a wonderful surprise for him!"
"No problem Jeff, I'll let you know my verdict as soon as I can."
… …
Later that afternoon:
Virgil held his breath in anticipation as his father pushed him towards the automatic doors which led to the gardens. He hadn't realised how much he had missed the outdoors. The feeling of the sun shining down upon him, the soft breeze blowing through his hair, or the beauty of birds, butterflies and other insects flying by. Now, though as doors slid open and the sights, sounds, and sweet summer smells hit him with their full force, he suddenly realised what he had almost lost.
"There are some great sights for you to draw here!" Jeff grinned, stopping by a bench which overlooked the flower garden.
"Mm… Yes," Virgil mumbled.
Puzzled by his son's response, Jeff looked down at Virgil and frowned with dismay when he saw the tears he was shedding. "Virg, what's wrong?"
Virgil sniffed back the tears. "It just fully hit me… How much was so nearly taken away!"
"But it wasn't!" Jeff assured him.
"I know," Virgil replied, wiping his eyes, "I'm crying because I still get a chance to experience all of this!"
"Are you sure?" Jeff asked, sitting himself down on the bench and taking his sons hands.
"Yes dad," Virgil nodded. "these are tears of happiness!"
Jeff beamed at him and held him in his arms for a short time before sitting himself back up. "Now how about some food?"
Virgil grinned at his dad. "Yes please, I'm starving!"
Two hours passed by with father and son eating and chatting away, until Virgil began to grow tired and slipped into a restful sleep. Jeff had remained outdoors with him, happily watching as he silently slept. Eventually, realising this wasn't the short nap he'd expected it to be, Jeff gathered their things and began to bring Virgil back to his room. Stopping when he saw Gerry Sylvia making his way towards them.
"Hello," Gerry whispered, so as not to disturb Virgil, "how was the outing?"
Jeff smiled. "Really good, thank you for suggesting it."
"No problem," Gerry replied, "are you heading back to the room?"
"Yes," Jeff said, "I think the fresh airs going to keep him asleep for some time!"
"Let's walk and talk then," Gerry suggested, taking the wheelchair for Jeff so he could manage the bag he held.
"So, have you spoken to Brains then?" Jeff questioned, once they had entered the lift which would take them back to the ward.
"Yes, and I can understand now why he got his nickname."
Jeff released a light laugh. "If it wasn't for that man, I don't know how I would have ever realised my dream for International Rescue."
Gerry nodded as they both exited the lift. "Well, he certainly as fantastic knowledge of the medical field."
Jeff grinned at Gerry. "Does this mean what I think it does?"
"Yes," Gerry confirmed. "Virgil's going home!"
