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Chapter 9
Before Alex could speak to Bobby, Dr. Sengtupa and the chorus of nurses returned. The doctor carefully hooked up something to Bobby's IV; a nurse gave Bobby some water to sip. He drank deeply and gratefully. "Thank you," he croaked. His voice was raspy and painful to hear.
The nurse patted him on the arm. Alex could see she was already falling under the Goren charm. "It works," Alex thought, "even when he's just coming out of a coma."
"Mr. Goren," Dr. Sengtupa said, "this is your pain medication—you control it with this switch...press it, and some will be delivered through your IV. Don't worry about giving yourself too much...it's set so that won't happen...and we've found that when people regulate their own intake they tend to use less medication. So, don't let yourself suffer, ok?"
Bobby nodded. Alex could see he was fighting exhaustion and some pain.
"Do you have any questions?" the doctor asked.
"How...what happened to me?" Bobby asked with some effort.
The doctor studied Bobby for a moment and decided this was a patient who needed more information rather than less. "The bullet tore some of your shoulder and chest muscle and went through the upper part of your right lung. It hit a rib before it passed out through your chest. It took two surgeries to get everything cleaned up. You lost a lot of blood. Our major concern right now is infection, but there hasn't been any sign of that. The injury to your knee may ultimately prove to be more painful. That bullet nicked the kneecap. As soon as you're strong enough, we'll get you started on physical therapy for your knee and shoulder. Ms. Eames can tell you about that."
"More like torture," Alex said lightly.
Bobby glanced at her. Alex caught sight of fear in his eyes.
"Will I...be able to stay...my job?" Bobby asked hesitantly.
"So," Alex thought, "that's what he's afraid of..."
"Well," the doctor replied, "you're not going to be the fastest gun east of the Hudson, but you should be able to get back to chasing bad guys if you pay attention to us."
Bobby, visibly relieved, blinked.
"Now," the doctor said, "do what the nurses tell you. They have the real power here, and know what's best. I'll be around to check on you before I go home tonight, and Dr. Leight, who worked on your knee, will be in early tomorrow."
Bobby nodded.
"Get some sleep—it's the best thing right now—and take your medicine." The doctor turned to Alex as she left. "And that's good advice for you, too, Detective Eames."
"I may be able to do that now," Alex said with a smile. She turned her attention to Bobby.
The nurse adjusted his IV's. "Would you like something to eat? Some soup?" she asked.
Bobby winced slightly.
"Don't be afraid to use your pain medication." The nurse pointed to the dispenser. Bobby finally submitted and pushed the button.
"Helps?" the nurse asked.
Bobby, looking relieved and surprised, nodded.
"Don't try to be all big and macho," the nurse said, "it'll only make your recovery take longer. I'll see about that soup."
Alex wheeled to the bed. The painkiller was clearly helping, but Bobby looked exhausted. She gently laid her hand on his. He turned towards her. The painkiller had dulled his eyes slightly, but Alex clearly saw fear in them. "What now?" she thought.
"Better?" Alex whispered to him.
Bobby nodded. "Tired...so tired..." he rasped.
"Don't talk too much...let your throat heal..."
"Are you...how bad..." Bobby's eyes brimmed with tears.
"Not bad at all...sore leg, more of an annoyance than anything...and a lovely, magnificent bruise that looks like some of those paintings you like. I hope you get to see it soon."
Bobby struggled to stay awake and control his emotions. "I'm sorry...so sorry...Alex...I should have saved you..."
"Bobby," Alex's voice was gentle and firm. "You did what was right...you saved the civilian...you made the hard call...and you did save me...when you rolled us away..."
Bobby shook his head. "No...should have...sorry...love you, Alex." His exhaustion took him.
End Chapter 9