Fathers and Daughters
Part 3
Author: MacGateFan
Disclaimers in Part 1
Zoë
Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. Dad was deathly pale and looked so lifeless. If the monitors weren't connected to him and beeping, I wouldn't even know he was alive.
I moved closer and took his hand in mine. "Allison?" I asked when I saw her pick up his chart. "Will he be all right?"
"According to this, the doctor believes he will, but makes no guarantee on how long he'll be unconscious."
I nodded slowly. "Well, how did he hit his head to begin with? I mean, I know he and Jo had been investigating that teleporter guy..."
"Something had to have happened then," Allison said.
"Yeah." I thought for a minute. "Now that you mention it, last night after dinner Dad seemed really out of it and went bed before nine o'clock."
"I'll call Jo and ask her. I'll be right back," she said, heading out. Allison stopped at the door as if she wanted to tell me something, but was unsure. "Zoë, do you want me to call your Mom?"
I shook my head. I don't really think I could deal with her right now. Besides she really wasn't a happy camper when I ran away to live with Dad. I'm only surprised she hasn't sent divorce papers out here yet.
Whoops, I'd better answer her. "Not right now."
When Allison left, I turned my attention back to Dad. "You know, you really should wake up, or you'll never be able to ask Allison out," I told him, slouching in the chair next to his bed.
About ten minutes later, Allison came back with Jo. "Any change?"
"No," I replied sullenly. "Jo, do you know how my Dad hurt his head?" Apparently Mr. Teleporter knocked him unconscious with a bookcase. "You mean you didn't drag my Dad to the doctor after that?"
"I realize you're upset about this," Jo replied, "but your Dad is a grown man, I can't force him to see a doctor if he doesn't want to."
Allison placed a hand on my shoulder. "Calm down, honey, your Dad is starting to wake up. Talk to him. Let him know we're here."
"Dad," I said. "Come on Dad, enough sleeping."
Jack
I can hear everyone talking. Problem is, I can't respond. The doctor doesn't seem too sure of himself, but I do have a reason to live and she's... worried about me not being able to ask Allison out?
Probably more worried about her bet with Vincent.
This is my fault really because if I had gone to see a doctor like Jo suggested, I probably wouldn't be in this position.
I'm trying to catch what Allison is saying to Zoë.
Oh no! Please don't call Abby!
Good girl, Zoë.
When Abby had finally gotten a hold of me, she yelled for two hours straight just for not calling her back. I couldn't get a word in edgewise. Besides, I knew it wouldn't have done any good. If I had told Abby that I had become sidetracked with work... again, it would have set her off on another tirade.
Okay enough of Abby. I'm starting to feel some pain and my eyelids don't seem to be as heavy as before. I'm going to attempt to open my eyes. I miss seeing my daughter anyway.
"You mean you didn't drag my Dad to the doctor after that?" I heard Zoë cry out.
"I realize you're upset about this," Jo replied, "but your Dad is a grown man, I can't force him to see a doctor if he doesn't want to."
I could see them all through my slightly open eyes. Allison had just placed a hand on Zoë's shoulder. "Calm down, honey, your Dad is starting to wake up. Talk to him. Let him know we're here."
"Dad," she said, taking my hand. "Come on Dad, enough sleeping."
Yep, that is definitely my little girl.
"Ugh," I moaned.
"Jack, can you hear me?" Allison.
I opened my eyes, but had to close them again as the light pierced them. "Just give me a minute," I breathed. Soon I had them open and used to the lighting in the room. "Hey."
"Nice of you to wake up," Zoë said. I could tell she looked relieved, though.
"Jo, any word on our teleporting friend?" I know that that was the main reason she was standing there. Besides just because I'm down for the count doesn't mean the idiots stop doing idiotic things.
"Henry and Taggart are working on a device to catch him," she replied. "It's supposed to..."
I cut her off. "You know what, please don't get into that because 1. my head is fuzzy and 2. I barely understand what you guys say when I don't have a head injury."
Jo chuckled. "Got it. I'm going over to Henry's to check on their progress. I'll let you know when they're ready to test it."
The ringing of the phone surprised us all. Zoë reached over to answer it. "Hello?"
I had to blink a few times because I swore all the color drained from her face. She took a deep breath and handed me the phone. "It's Mom."
"Abby?"
"I knew that work would kill you one day."
"Um, in case you haven't noticed, I'm very much alive."
Abby ignored my reply and went straight for the kill herself. "Jack, I'm filing for divorce and I want full custody of Zoë. She cannot be allowed to wonder the streets or worry about losing you everyday."
"You can't do that!"
"I can and I will, Jack. I should be there by tomorrow afternoon to pick her up."
"Wait!" I begged, "Please don't do this!"
I looked up at Zoë as I handed her the phone. God, I think I'm going to be sick! Luckily Allison was there to help. When I was finished, Zoë brought over a glass of water.
"What did she say, Dad?"