Chapter Four
6pm
Viv walked into Jack's room and found Tyler busy on his laptop and Jack asleep.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Hi," he replied, turning to face her, setting his computer on the table.
"How is he?" she asked, looking at Jack in bed.
"About as well as expected, I guess. Dr. Aswan took him to see Anne. Jack said she's blaming him for the miscarriage."
"That's crazy."
"I know, I know. I walked him down here around four and he told me himself. Viv, he was a wreck. I tried to tell him that it wasn't his fault, but I don't know that he believed me."
Viv shook her head and pursed her lips, a trait she seemed to exhibit when Jack exasperated her.
"Trying to get some work done?" she asked, gesturing to the computer.
"Yeah, I think your guy Alvarez, is involved in the disappearance and deaths of four women. They were all young, Asian, and found with their throats slashed under the Williamsburg Bridge. I was tracking the killer and assumed it was a serial, as opposed to just a nut bar," Tyler said, cracking his neck.
"Really? Have you talked to Van Doren?"
"Yeah, I took a break about half an hour ago and went to the cafeteria to call her."
Jack moaned and moved slightly, drawing Viv and Tyler's attention.
"Viv, you were there when they found him, right?"
"Yeah, I was there with Ritchie Jenkins."
"Right, the bomb squad guy. Jack introduced us when we were at Columbia," Tyler said, standing to walk to the window.
A light snow had started and he watched it for a few minutes.
"How was he, when they found him?"
"He was submerged in water, pinned by debris from the house. Ritchie and his crew used thermal resolution to find him. He was in the basement for almost sixteen hours," Viv commented softly.
"You know, Dr. Aswan called me. Both Annie and Jack had my number in their wallets. He thought I was the next of kin," Tyler said, his voice catching.
Vivian walked up to him and gently put her hand on his shoulder to turn him to face her.
"Tyler, I know what they mean to you."
He stepped into her embrace, needing to draw from her strength. Tears fell as they held each other. They were interrupted by a noise from Jack. His back was arched and he was struggling to breathe. Quickly, both Tyler and Viv walked up to him; placing their calming hands on him. It didn't work and as he continued to dream, his breathing now ragged.
"Jack, wake up. Malone, wake up now!" Tyler shouted.
Jack moved on the bed, but he didn't seem to hear Tyler. Viv reached out to his shoulders and held them as he struggled against her hold. He woke up suddenly and then burst into tears.
"Jack, you're okay. Do you understand?" Viv asked.
Instead of answering, Jack shut his eyes tight. His body was stiff, and his right hand grabbed a handful of sheet. His breathing was still unsteady as tears continued to run down his face.
"Malone, you're okay. What's wrong? What's upsetting you?"
"It hurts, everything hurts."
"Okay, take it easy. Just relax. I'll go get Dr. Aswan."
Tyler left to go to the nurse's station while Viv spoke to Jack softly, taking his hand in both of hers.
"I need to locate Dr. Aswan."
"He's off duty. He'll be back on at midnight, the nurse responded.
"You don't understand; Jack Malone was given an injection at four. It's barely six-thirty and he's in agony. You aren't scheduled to give him his meds for half an hour."
"That's correct."
"Look, he's my best friend, and he's crying because of the pain. Please, would you page Dr. Aswan?"
Just as Tyler made his request, he noticed movement at the end of the hall. Dr. Aswan was wheeling Anne down the hall. Tyler moved to approach them.
"Hey, honey," Tyler greeted her, leaning over to give her a kiss.
"Hi, Tyler, how is he?"
"Not so good right now. He's in a great deal of pain."
"Let me examine him," Dr. Aswan said, frowning.
"Thanks. Vivian is at his bedside."
Dr. Aswan nodded and opened the door, walking into the room. Viv looked up and saw Dr. Aswan.
"He's in pain. I think he passed out."
"Can you give me a minute with him?"
"Sure," Viv said, giving Jack's hand a squeeze before lowering it to the bed.
Tyler and Anne were talking and looked up to see Vivian entering the hallway. Anne stood and walked up to her. Suddenly, Viv understood what she needed and held her arms out to comfort Anne. Tears fell down Anne's face as she wept quietly.
Dr. Aswan pulled out his stethoscope and listened to Jack's heart. Frowning, he reached for the electric thermometer and slipped it on Jack's finger. Moments later, the alarm sounded as Jack's temperature crept above one hundred and one.
"Jack, wake up!"
Jack didn't move. Dr. Aswan looked at the thermometer display and pressed a button on the wall. Tyler stood quickly as a nurse and two orderlies ran into Jack's room. Anne and Viv pulled apart from their embrace. They watched as Jack was pushed on his bed out of the room to the elevator. As Dr. Aswan went by he spoke to them.
"He has an infection; from the water, I think. Stay here, I'll be back as soon as I can. Anne, you have an hour and then you need to go back to your room. I'll come to you."
"Thank you, Dr. Aswan," Viv answered for the group.
They wheeled Jack into ICU and there started the task of trying to find the cause for his fever. An IV for pain meds was inserted, as was a catheter. The soft beep from his heart monitor and his thermometer were rapid.
"Draw blood again, full ranging. Have the lab compare it to his previous test," Dr. Aswan ordered.
Watching Jack, he reached over and put the cannula under his nose and carefully placed the elastic around the back of his head to hold it in place. Dr. Aswan walked to the nurses' station to update his chart.
An hour later, the lab results were in; probable pneumonia and a viral infection. Dr. Aswan started Jack on a super regimen of medication. He left Jack alone and went back upstairs to look for Tyler and Vivian. Tyler had packed up his laptop and he and Vivian were sitting in the plastic chairs outside Jack's old room.
"How is he?" Vivian asked, standing.
"Probable pneumonia and a viral infection; we're working on it. I'll know better in four hours."
"He had pneumonia last winter," Tyler offered.
"Really?"
"He was run down, exhausted…. He got stuck in that big snow storm; soaked, walked home, got sick."
"Okay, was he ever a smoker?"
"Yeah, he quit when he got married, so, what, ten years ago?"
"Yeah that's about right."
"Okay, well, I'm going to go check on Anne."
"Thanks, Dr. Aswan," Viv said.
Dr. Aswan walked into Anne's room, not surprised to find her awake and in tears.
"Did Dr. Chesny speak to you?"
She nodded.
"Okay, she's the psychiatrist that I would recommend. You're going to need additional counseling after we release you."
"How's Jack?" she asked, her voice betraying her fear.
"He has pneumonia and a viral infection from the mold in the water, we think. We're running a battery of tests right now. He's in ICU, but I believe that he'll be okay in a couple of days."
"Okay, okay," Anne repeated, the tears now streaming down her face.
"Anne, you need to relax and be strong for the both of you. Get a good night's sleep and I'll come get you for a visit tomorrow, okay?"
She nodded before curling up in a ball facing away from him.
Dr. Aswan walked back to the fifth floor and found Tyler alone.
"Where's Vivian?"
"She went home. She's exhausted and has a teenager to look after."
"I see. I need her back in the morning. Anne needs to see Jack but I think she needs a woman with her."
"Okay, I'll call her," Tyler said, standing.
"I'm going to check on Jack. There's a waiting room on the fourth floor for ICU. I'll meet you there."
"Thanks, Malouf," Tyler said, picking up his laptop and duffle filled with Jack's personal effects from home, and followed him to the elevator.
They walked down the hallway together and Tyler sat heavily in the nearest chair. Dr. Aswan walked into the ICU and directly headed for Jack's bed. He checked his vitals and the two IVs that hung adjacent to his patient. Jack's temperature was holding at one hundred and three. His heart rate had slowed to normal, but his lungs were still filled with fluid. Dr. Aswan raised the bed a few more degrees and set up the bedrails before leaving Jack alone.
"Why don't you go home? I have your number. It's a waiting game, now, until the medicine catches the infection," Dr. Aswan said, as he walked up to Tyler.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Tyler, are Anne and Jack living together?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"I'm planning on releasing her tomorrow. It's going to be hard enough on her without being alone in the apartment she shared with Jack."
"Oh, yeah, I guess I see what you mean. Maybe Viv can pick her up and take her home. I'll give her a call."
"What about Sam?"
"No, that wouldn't be a good idea. Sam and Jack used to be involved."
"I guess in that case, Sam would not be the right choice. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night, Malouf," Tyler said, before walking to the elevator.
1am (Saturday)
Jack woke up and looked around him, not recognizing where he was. He heard the soft beeps from the various machines around him. Suddenly, a chill passed through him. He tried to reach the sheet that had slipped to his waist, but the various leads and IVs made it impossible. His chills increased as he started to cough. Shutting his eyes to the pain and fatigue, he struggled to sit up, continuing to cough. Moments later, he felt a comforting hand on his back.
"Easy, Jack. Slow down; just little breaths. That's it, nice and easy," the voice soothed.
He started to relax as his coughing subsided. The hands eased him back onto the mattress. He shivered again, before feeling the sheet being pulled over his chest. The hand rested on his shoulder.
"Sleep, Jack. No dreams; just sleep."
Jack sighed and slipped into sleep.
8:30am
Viv walked into the office, putting her gun and purse in her desk drawer before hanging up her coat.
"The snow makes the city so quiet," Martin mused from his desk.
"Yeah, it sure does. What's up?"
"Danny called. The L train is having problems. He'll be a half an hour late."
"Okay. Any cases?"
"Not yet. Would you like a cup of coffee?" Martin asked, standing up.
"Sure, thanks."
"You're welcome."
Viv's cell phone rang.
"Johnson."
"Viv, morning, it's me."
"Morning, Tyler. How's Jack?"
"No news is good news. I'm heading to the hospital now. Malouf said he was going to release Annie today. Is there any possibility you could pick her up and get her home?"
"At this point, I'll say yes with the caveat that since Jack is in the hospital, I'm in charge. If we get a case, we'll have to go to plan B."
"I understand. I'll call you with an update."
"Thanks, Tyler. Bye."
"Bye, Viv."
9:30am
"Sorry, I'm late," Danny said, walking into the bullpen.
"I just got in myself. I think all of the trains are messed up today," Elena said, looking over at him.
"We have a case; Jonathan Whitman, age ten, last seen playing in his backyard. Martin, you and Elena go and interview the parents. Danny, start a background check," Vivian said, posting the photo of the tousled blonde haired boy on the whiteboard.
Taking the wipe whiteboard marker, she wrote the particulars.
Jonathan Whitman 7A-NY 516885
Tyler walked onto the floor of ICU, clipping his ID onto his suit jacket pocket and double-checking that his phone was off. Heading to the nurses' station, he waited patiently until the nurse was finished with her notes.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, I'd like to know how Jack Malone is doing."
"Mr. Simpson? Dr. Aswan said you'd be stopping by. Jack had a rough night; woke up several times coughing. He's been quiet, though, for the last three hours."
"Can I see him?"
"Yes, he's the third bed on the left," the nurse said, pointing to the double-doors leading to ICU.
"Thanks."
Taking a steadying breath, Tyler went into ICU. In the fourteen bed ward, he noted that only half the rooms had patients. Seeing Jack, he walked into his cubicle and then to his bedside. There were wires and hoses disappearing under the sheet that was firmly tucked in around his body. Tyler brushed back the lock of Jack's hair that had fallen across his forehead. It was wet. As he watched him sleep, Tyler heard the soft beeps increase in speed as Jack woke up coughing. Pulling at Jack's shoulders, Tyler got him to a sitting position, listening to the wet, raspy coughs. The nurse came in and saw Tyler holding Jack as he coughed.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"A wet towel would be great."
"Be right back."
Jack calmed, finally, and lay back in bed. The nurse brought back the towel and handed it to Tyler, who wiped Jack's face, neck, and bare chest, before he pulled the sheet up to his chin. Jack opened his eyes and looked somewhat blankly at Tyler who grinned at his confusion.
"Welcome back, you had us worried."
"Where am I?"
"You're in ICU. Seems you ingested or aspirated some of the water in the basement. You have a viral infection and a possible case of pneumonia."
Jack looked away for a moment. Tyler put his hand on his shoulder, refocusing his attention.
"You're going to be fine, Jack. You just need to sleep and beat your fever."
Jack nodded silently and then looked at him. They stared at each other for a few minutes.
"No, I'm not going anywhere. Please, Malone, just sleep. You'll feel better, honest."
Continuing to stare at Tyler, Jack fought to stay awake; needing the feeling of safety that he always felt when he was with Tyler. Finally, after almost thirty minutes, he fell asleep.
12pm
"Hello, Tyler, I was hoping you were here," Dr. Aswan said, approaching Jack's bed.
"I got here around nine, I guess. He woke up coughing, and was pretty disoriented."
"Has he woken up since?"
"No, he's been very quiet."
"I'm releasing Anne at two. Can Vivian take her home?"
"Let me go call. We'll work something out," Tyler said, getting to his feet. "If he wakes up, tell him where I am, would'ja?"
"Of course," Dr. Aswan said, starting his exam.
Jack's temperature was down a degree. The cuts on his body were healing, but his lungs were still filled. Starting to hyperventilate, Jack woke up coughing.
"That's it, Jack, cough it up," Dr. Aswan said, reaching for the damp towel as Jack spat out grey goop.
This continued for several minutes before Jack settled back in his bed. He opened his eyes and gazed at the doctor in front of him.
"Tyler is calling Vivian. He'll be back momentarily."
Jack nodded slowly, his stare unwavering.
"It's not my fault, is it?"
"What?"
"The miscarriage; it's not my fault?"
"No, Jack, it's not your fault. Was she upset by what she saw that first day when you were brought in? Yes. But, at forty-five, she had a twenty-five percent chance of having a miscarriage."
Jack nodded again and closed his eyes tightly at a flash of pain.
"What, Jack? What hurts?"
"Everything; tired," he mumbled.
Dr. Aswan pressed the pump and Jack fell asleep again.
"Johnson."
"Viv, it's me. Malouf is releasing her at two."
"I can't leave," Viv said, looking at the paperwork on her desk.
She looked around the bullpen and saw Danny finishing up a phone call.
"I'll send Danny. Seventh floor, right?
"Yeah, I'm on four at ICU with Jack. He's better today, but still sick. Have Danny stop by with Annie on their way out, would you?"
"Of course. Thanks, Tyler."
"You're welcome, Viv. Bye."
"Bye," Viv said, hanging up the phone.
She stood up and walked over to Danny's desk.
"So far, the Whitmans appear to be straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting."
"Okay. Look, I need you to do me a personal favour."
"Shoot, what is it?"
"I need you to pick up Anne Cassidy at Queens General and take her home. Get directions before you go. I don't how focused she'll be."
"Sure, Viv. I'll take care of it. What time do I need to be at the hospital?
"Two," she said over her shoulder, returning to her desk.
"How's Jack?" he asked, typing in Anne's name to get her address before running the map program.
"He got sick last night and they put him in ICU. The doctor feels it's a viral infection from the water. He had very high temperature, but Tyler says he's better today. Speaking of which, Tyler asked if you could bring Anne to the fourth floor to see Jack."
"No problem. Look I'd better head out. It's a real trek to the hospital from here."
"Thanks again, Danny."
"You're welcome."
2pm
Anne sat in the chair by the window and watched the snow fall. No one had gone to her apartment to get her any clothes, so she was in scrubs. Her coat lay across the bed.
"Ready to go home? Danny asked softly, knocking on the door frame.
"I think so. Are you my ride?"
"How about 'escort'? I thought we'd take a cab to your place," he said, pushing the wheelchair into the room.
"That's fine," she said, getting settled in the chair.
He picked up her coat and set it on her lap before wheeling her to the elevator.
"Did you check out?"
"Yes. Danny, can we see Jack?"
"That's the plan. Tyler is meeting us on the fourth floor. He said Jack was feeling better today."
Anne nodded, taking a fistful of her coat in her hands and holding it tightly. The elevator came and Danny carefully turned her around and backed the chair into the car. Minutes later, they were rolling down to the nurses' station.
"Hi, this is Anne Cassidy, Jack Malone's partner. She's been released and wanted to see him before she left," Danny offered.
"Yes, she's on the list. And you are?"
"I'm Danny Taylor."
"Mr. Taylor, you are not on the list. I'm afraid Dr. Aswan is being very strict about this."
"It's all right, Danny. I'll go see him alone," Anne said, handing him her coat before standing up.
"Okay. I guess I'll wait for you here, then."
She reached up and caressed his cheek before walking into the ward. Looking at the different lit cubicles, she made out the blonde head of Tyler, who appeared to be sleeping. Heading over to the room, she looked at Jack. He was pale and had more than a five o'clock shadow. She wanted to hold his hand but it was tucked in under the sheet. Instead, Anne touched his face, before kissing his cheek.
"Hi," Tyler greeted, his voice betraying his fatigue.
"Hi."
"His fever is down a point. Malouf is optimistic," Tyler stated, standing to stretch his sore back.
"I want to talk to him, Tyler. I need to apologize."
"I understand. Jack, Jack, wake up," Tyler said loudly.
Jack moved slightly and opened his eyes. He looked at Tyler and then felt another presence. Turning his head to the left, he saw Anne. Reaching for her from under the sheet, he sat up with Tyler's help and pulled her into an embrace.
"I am so sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't understand," she whispered into his ear as she stroked his hair.
"We'll get through this, honey. One day at a time," Jack said, his voice barely audible over the increasing beeps from the machines.
"Dr. Aswan is releasing me. Danny's outside, waiting to take me home. Please get better soon. I miss you," she said, standing.
"I miss you, too," Jack said, clenching his teeth as he tried to suppress his cough.
"Annie, I think you'd better go. Let it out, Jack," Tyler instructed.
Jack started to cough, reaching for Tyler. Anne backed away from the bed and watched with tears running down her cheeks.
"I love you, Jack," she murmured.
"He knows, Annie. He loves you, too," Tyler said, above Jack's coughing fit.
Anne nodded and then walked out of the room where Danny embraced her.
"How is he?"
"He's so sick, Danny," she said softly.
"Jack's a strong man, Anne. He'll be fine, soon."
Anne nodded and continued to hold him for a few minutes before stepping back to sit in the wheelchair. Danny wheeled her to the elevator and they began their long journey into the city.