Chapter Three.

10:00am

Tyler walked in, carefully folding his top coat before setting it on the deep windowsill next to the small duffle he brought. He noticed the partially eaten breakfast and the absence of the morphine drip. Sitting in the chair near the bed, Tyler stretched his legs and watched his friend sleep. Jack's eyes were moving under his eyelids as he continued to dream. Limited by his cast ankle, he still was able to thrash a bit. His heartbeat started to race and the soft beep from the machine was replaced by a louder, more insistent tone. The perspiration that started in his hairline was evident in its sheen on his chest and face. Tyler stood and carefully put his hands on Jack's shoulders, mindful of the bandages.

"Let it go, Jack. Just relax. Let it go."

Jack struggled against Tyler's grip, finally waking himself. He sat up, putting his face in his hands as he tried to catch his breath.

"Easy, buddy."

"Water?" Jack whispered.

Tyler reached for the pitcher and poured half a glass and handed it to him. He took a sip, holding it with both hands. Suddenly he paled, panicking; he pulled off the sensors and tried to get out of bed.

"Jack? What's wrong?" Tyler asked, helping him to his feet.

Jack raised his hand to his mouth and then Tyler understood, hurrying to help him to the bathroom. With the cast, it was difficult to kneel but he managed and was able to empty his meager stomach contents into the toilet. Tyler wet a washcloth and wiped Jack's neck, waiting for him to finish. When he finally brought his head up, Tyler wiped his face and helped him to his feet.

"Stay right here. I brought some stuff from home."

Nancy ran in and saw the bed empty.

"What's happened?"

"He got sick. Can you give us a minute?" Tyler asked.

"Sure, come and get me when you're ready," she said, turning off the machines before leaving them alone.

Jack had his right hand on the wall, leaning against it. Tyler returned with a small bottle of Listerine and a tooth brush. He helped Jack to the sink and poured a capful for him to rinse his mouth. Swishing it around in his mouth, Jack spat the liquid into the sink. He reached again for Tyler and they walked back into the room. In his haste to get out of the bed, Jack had dropped the plastic glass on the sheets. Anchoring Jack to the window sill, Tyler pulled out a silk bathrobe from the duffle and helped Jack into it.

"Have a seat while I go find the nurse. You're supposed to go for a couple of walks today, anyway."

Jack grunted, leaning his head back on the false leather surface and closing his eyes. Tyler returned with Nancy and a Canadian crutch.

"Jack, are you still nauseated?"

"No, Nancy. Just tired and the pain is coming back."

"Okay, I'll go tell Dr. Aswan and I'll change your sheets while you take a walk. Let me just adjust the crutch for you."

Jack rocked his head forward and opened his eyes. Tyler helped him to his feet as Nancy slipped the cuff around his forearm. Instinctively, he reached for the grip.

"That looks good, Jack. Mr. Simpson, I would recommend just to the end of the hall and back. You can take a longer walk this afternoon."

"Thanks, Nancy. Okay, Jack, let's go."

Slowly Jack walked out of the room and into the bustling hallway. They walked silently to the end and Jack stopped. He turned and looked at Tyler. Two women walked by them talking very loudly and the moment between the two men was lost. They headed back to Jack's room. Walking in, they found the bed made and the semi fresh smell of Lysol emanating from the bathroom. Jack paused for a minute and then headed to the bathroom.

"Holler if you need me."

"Tyler, could you get me some juice? Any kind, I…I just can't drink water right now." Jack asked from behind the closed door.

"Yeah, sure. Be right back," Tyler said, leaving the room to find Nancy.

"Mr. Simpson, are you back from your walk?"

"Yes, I think he's about ready for a nap, but he needs his pills and he would like juice rather than water."

"We can surely do that. I'll be right in."

"Thanks."

Tyler entered the room just as Jack reached his bed. First, he removed the bathrobe then Tyler handed him an old button-down short-sleeved shirt, and a pair of pajama bottoms. He helped him put his cast ankle on the stack of pillows that replaced the traction sling. Finally, Jack settled back onto the pillow and closed his eyes.

"Pills and apple juice, Jack," Nancy said, as she walked into the room.

He opened his eyes and took the proffered pills; swallowing them dry and chasing them with the juice. Nancy took the cup from him and put in on the table next to the bed.

"I'll check in on you later," Nancy said as she turned and walked out of the room.

Reaching to the foot of the bed, Tyler pulled the blankets up to Jack's shoulders and then sat down. He checked the time and waited for his charge to fall asleep. Half an hour later, Jack was softly snoring, so Tyler headed for the cafeteria to catch up on his missed phone calls.

12:30pm

Jack awoke on his back in the basement. He felt immense pain on his left side. Raising his right hand, he tried to move some of the stuff that was on top of him. The water continued to rise, now submerging him from the ears down. There was a noise from the structure as it continued to settle and additional debris fell on him, pinning him entirely. He breathed through his nose, fighting to stay conscious, as the water level continued to rise. By the time he was rescued, he had tilted his head back to keep his nose above water; trying very hard not to panic.

Dr. Aswan walked in to check on Jack, stopping in the doorway for a moment at the sight in front of him. Jack's back was arched slightly, his limbs limp at his side, and his head was tilted back. He breathed loudly out of his nose. The breaths were labored and rapid. Heading to Jack's bedside, Dr. Aswan pulled out his stethoscope and listened to his lungs and heart. Reaching to the console embedded in the wall behind the bed, Dr. Aswan took the oxygen mask, turned on the flow, and gently placed it over Jack's mouth and nose. At first, he panicked, moving his head to evade the mask, and then he settled, breathing in a lungful of cool air. Minutes later, Jack woke up.

"Steady, it was just a dream, Jack. You're at the hospital, now."

Jack looked at him, unsure. Reaching up with his right hand he pulled the mask off.

"I was pinned under the rubble from the house. There was water everywhere. It was so cold and it was hard to breathe," Jack said, looking at the somewhat familiar face above him. "When I woke up, I couldn't hear anything, I couldn't see anything, I couldn't move and the pain was indescribable."

"It must have been terrifying. You're lucky to be alive."

"Yeah, I guess," Jack's voice faltered for a moment. "I need…"

"What do you need, Jack?"

"Anne, I need Anne," Jack said, setting his exhausted look on Dr. Aswan.

He paused for a moment, judging the situation.

"Let's go for a walk," Dr. Aswan said, taking the O2 mask from him and setting it back on the wall.

He helped Jack up and into his robe before handing him his crutch.

"Are you hungry? I understand breakfast didn't sit well."

"No, not at all."

The two men walked out of the room and headed, slowly, for the elevator.

1:12pm

Dr. Aswan escorted Jack to a hospital room and gestured for him to go in. He opened the door and slowly crutched in a few feet. Jack stood, transfixed. He didn't hear the door close or the sounds of the machines or his own choke of fear before he dropped his crutch and limped to her bedside. Softly, he kissed her forehead and stroked the hair around her ear. Anne woke up, looking at him strangely at first.

"I've missed you," he said, his voice dropping in and out.

She looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. Reaching her hands to his face, she held him. His eyes started to fill in response, not knowing what was upsetting her. She brought his face to hers and kissed him softly on his cheek. Pushing him away gently before he was able to respond, she took a breath.

"I lost the baby."

Jack looked at her and his reserve slipped away, bursting into tears for her and for their unborn child. She took him by the shoulders and pulled him down to her, holding him tightly. He wanted to be strong, but he couldn't do it. After about fifteen minutes, his analytical mind took over.

"What happened?"

Anne didn't respond, she just sobbed softly.

Jack pulled back and looked at her.

"Did you lose the baby because of me?"

Again she didn't respond, but she did look at him and he knew he was the cause. He was devastated, lowering his head to the bed as he collapsed into the chair. His sobs racked his body, and she cried too at his despair.

2:15pm

Tyler stepped off the elevator and walked to Jack's room. He stood for a moment, taking in the empty bed before almost running to the nurses' station.

"Where's Jack Malone?"

"Dr. Aswan took him for a walk. I haven't seen them come back yet," a new nurse offered.

"Which way did they go?"

"Towards the elevator, I'm pretty sure."

Tyler headed for the elevator and when the car came he pressed 7, sighing slightly when the door closed. Moments later, he was standing outside Anne's room.

"Tyler?" a voice called from behind him.

He turned and saw Dr. Aswan. Quickly, he walked up to him.

"Jack dreamt about the explosion. When I was able to calm him all he wanted was Anne. I brought him up about an hour ago."

Tyler sighed, wiping his face in emotional frustration.

"His signs are fine, I thought we'd let them be together until four and then get him back to his room. He needs to eat something and he needs to rest."

"What about Annie?"

"Physically, she'll be fine. I need to wait for the follow-up psych consult."

"I see."

"I'll be back at four, Tyler. He'll be okay, he's just a little lost."

"Yeah, he get's that way, sometimes. Okay, Doc, I'll be patient, no pun intended."

"I figured you were the prankster between the two of you. I'll be back."

"Thanks, Doc."

"You're welcome, and call me Malouf, please. I hate that, 'Doc' thing."

"Sure, Malouf, I'm sorry if I offended you."

"Give it a rest, Tyler."

Tyler grinned before sitting in the plastic chair outside Anne's room.

4:00pm

Tyler paced outside Anne's room. Dr. Aswan approached from the elevator.

"Give me a minute," he said, entering Anne's room.

Tyler started to pace again.

"Tyler," Dr. Aswan called from the open doorway.

He walked into the room and found Jack in a chair, leaning against Anne's bed, his head resting on the edge. Anne's hand was on the nape of his neck. They both seemed to be deeply asleep.

"Jack….Jack time to wake up," Dr. Aswan called, softly.

Jack turned slightly and opened his eyes.

"Jack, you need to go back to your room to rest and eat something," Dr. Aswan said quietly, handing Jack his crutch.

Slowly, Jack stood, kissing Anne's forehead before taking his crutch and walked out of the room. Tyler followed him, easily catching up as they neared the elevator. Jack held his head down, not able to make eye contact with anyone. The elevator came and they went down to the fifth floor and then to his room. Jack walked to the window and looked out onto the grey afternoon. Tyler stood quietly and watched him. Raising his hand to his temple, Jack tried to erase the headache that was starting, feeling the pain in his shoulder as he did so.

"Let's get you into bed, Malone, before you collapse."

Jack turned slowly, allowing Tyler to see his face, now stained with tears. His eyes were reddened, and his lashes were dark and wet.

"What's happened?" Tyler asked, remembering what Malouf said about the grieving process.

"Anne lost the baby," he said haltingly. "She said it was my fault."

"No, Jack," Tyler said, walking up to him to pull him into an embrace. "It wasn't your fault. Malouf said that at Annie's age, carrying a baby to term was dodgy. Yes, she saw you banged up, yes, it might have added to her stress, but you are not to blame for this. Do you understand me?"

Jack couldn't respond; he just held on to Tyler, fighting his emotions and pain.

"Come on, let's get you into bed. I'll get the nurse to give you your meds."

Taking a deep, slow, patchy breath, Jack walked to his bed. Slipping off the robe, he got into bed and tried to settle. Tyler went out to the nurse's station.

"Jack needs his pain meds."

"Mr. Malone had his pain medication three hours ago. He can't have any more for another hour."

"No, Mr. Malone was on the seventh floor with Dr. Aswan at one. He did not have his meds. Give him his meds, now."

"Let me just call Dr. Aswan. That's not what the chart says," The nurse said, paling at the intensity of the man in front of her.

Picking up the phone, she dialed a number from the list.

"Hi, it's Pam on five, look Mr. Malone is complaining of pain. Oh, okay, sure, no problem, thanks."

She hung up the phone. "You're right, he's due his meds."

Tyler smiled and then walked back to Jack's room. He was still in bed, but he was dreaming. His skin was clammy and he was breathing fast, with a lot of effort.

"Easy, Jack. Medicine is coming," he said, placing his hands on Jack's chest, feeling the sweat through his shirt from his exertions.

Five minutes later, Pam arrived with an injection and Tyler relaxed considerably as Jack succumbed to the medicine.