P/N: Personally this is one of my favorite chapters. Please review

Agent Pheonix: Thanksd for the review. I'm glad you like it, and I will do double updates until the chapters get longer. I will let you know that the chapter will get to be long. Thanks again.


Chapter 5: The Evaluation

As a side note, my medical knowledge is limited to my years of watching George Clooney be really hot as Dr. Doug Ross on ER, so I really had no idea what to say. My theory at first was to go with "If it sounds good (or bad – hehe) than go with it." However, I did some research, and now I can at least talk somewhat intelligently about injuries I have for Vaughn. FYI, Good Samaritan is a hospital and the Drs. are real people – that I also did my research on…no infringement or disrespect is intended to Drs. Kerns or Groves…I just picked names…they should be honored…the doctor that appears later is my own creation.)

"In the face of uncertainty, there is nothing wrong with hope." – Dr. Bernie Siegel


On the ride back, Jack tried to survey Vaughn's wounds. Sydney refused to leave him and spent the ride with his head in her lap. This made Jack's survey difficult, but he refused to take Vaughn away from her again. From the limited surveying, he could only say that Vaughn's injuries were severe and extensive at best. He couldn't make an accurate judgment, however, and they really had no clear picture of Vaughn's state. Vaughn was airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital and he was wheeled into the emergency room with an entourage of people with him. Sydney never left his side and had to be escorted away by Jack when they reached the ER exam room. Sydney paced around the waiting room until Jack forced her to sit and eat something. About an hour later, Dr. Robert Kerns, M.D., introduced himself as the doctor who had seen Vaughn preliminarily

Sydney was confused, "What do you mean preliminarily? Where is he?"

Dr. Kerns patiently responded, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name…"

"It's Sydney."

"Ok, Sydney. Mr. Vaughn has injuries that are far beyond the capability of the emergency room. He was transferred to surgery a few minutes ago. I assure you, Dr. Groves will take good care of him."

"Dr. Groves? Who the hell is he? What does Vaughn need surgery for?"

Jack stepped in, "Sydney, calm down. They are only doing their job."

"It's all right, Mr. Bristow, I understand that this has been a terrible ordeal for all of you. I'd be happy to talk with you about Dr. Groves' capabilities if you'd like. He's a great surgeon."

Sydney calmed slightly, "No, I'm sorry. It's just that we've only just found Vaughn, I don't want to lose him again."

"I understand. Why don't we sit down and we'll talk about his preliminary injuries."

They retreated to a consultation room that was quieter and private.

"Please sit. I'll give you a run down of Mr. Vaughn's condition and then I will try to answer any questions you might have."

"Thank you doctor," said Jack.

What followed made Sydney's heart sink. As the doctor went on describing Vaughn's preliminary injuries, her mind swam with thoughts of all that must have been done to him to create such wounds. Plus, always in the back of her mind was that these were simply preliminary. She knew that when Vaughn was out of surgery, there would be a whole new list of injuries to add to the seemingly never-ending list. She suddenly felt very sick herself, and a rage that had never reached the surface started to boil when she pictured Arvin Sloane in her mind. She tried to push those thoughts aside and listen to Dr. Kerns as he listed Vaughn's injuries.

"All right, now first, I want to tell you that Mr. Vaughn's injuries are extensive and severe. That said, I will begin with what we found upon initial examination. Mr. Vaughn came into the ER with many external and internal injuries. From what we've deduced, most of these injuries could only have been inflicted by repeated beatings and what would be best described as common torture methods. From his line of work and the limited information that you have provided us with, that seems to be the most likely scenario. His external injuries vary from small and minor to deep and major lacerations, which cover a great deal of body parts. Most significantly, it seems the areas his captors focused on were the back and chest/abdominal areas. This is where most of the damage was done. He has small first and second-degree burns which were probably inflicted by objects heated at a high capacity and then applied to his body. He has other lacerations on his face and head, and there is evidence of a concussion as well, which will be better determined by Dr. Groves. He has many broken ribs, which I could determine from the bruising and discoloration around the rib area, and from what I could see, I would say he has damage to his spleen as well. It's obvious from these injuries that at least one but possibly both of his lungs have been punctured or have collapsed evidenced by extremely labored breathing coupled with dangerously low blood pressure. His left shoulder was dislocated and he also has several broken fingers. He was fairly stable when we moved him and the less severe wounds will be taken care of after the surgery to repair his ribs, spleen and lungs. Once all of those things are fully stabilized, we will proceed with the lesser injuries. In part because I do not know the total extent of his internal injuries, and also due to breathing problems that he is experiencing, he is going to be listed in critical condition."

Dr. Kerns looked pointedly at both of the people who were listening to him. Jack had the same expression that he had earlier; what the doctor would have described as passive, with a guarded sense of emotion. If one looked close enough, worry could be detected in his eyes. The other occupant of the room was not so composed. If there was any question of her composure, it was eliminated when she ran out of the room and down the hall to the women's bathroom. Jack got up quickly after her. "Excuse me a moment doctor." He said as he rushed down the hall.

When he got to the door, he went inside despite the markings of another gender on the door. He found Sydney in a stall, bent over the porcelain structure, the faucet of tears blazing once again.
Jack tentatively reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. She reacted only with more sobs. He stood and went over to the paper towel dispenser, grabbed a few, wet them and went back to the stall. He handed them to Sydney.

"Thanks," she said quietly and shakily.

"Are you all right?" Jack asked gently.

"Well, no, not really…but that's not important right now. What's important is if Vaughn is ok. I couldn't stand it anymore, I felt myself getting sicker by the minute. It's a wonder I didn't hurl right there on the doctor's shoes."

"I'm sure he wouldn't have blamed you if you did. Those injuries are staggering even if you don't care deeply for the person involved…I'm sorry Sydney, for what's its worth."

"Thanks, dad. Just give me a few minutes, I'll be back then."

"Ok sweetheart, I'll be in with the doctor." Jack got up silently and left Sydney alone.

She got up and went to the sink to splash some water on her face and rinse her mouth. She finished and started out down the hall again. When she got in the consultation room, the doctor was conversing with Jack.

Dr. Kerns looked empathetically at Sydney, "I'm sorry Sydney, perhaps I didn't prepare you enough for that information. I'm terribly sorry if I seemed harsh."

"No, I'm sorry, I just needed to get some air, among other things," Sydney smiled weakly.

"Did either of you have any questions?"

Jack and Sydney sat in silence for a few minutes. Sydney looked at her father and then back at Dr. Kerns.

"Is he going to be all right? Honestly?" Sydney looked hard at the doctor.

"I'm not going to lie to you Sydney and say that the injuries aren't life threatening, or tell you that he's a trooper and will pull through. He has tremendous injuries. In my honest opinion, his chances look good. I'm not sure that's as assuring as you would have hoped, but it's the best I can offer you."

Sydney was quiet again for a moment. Jack looked at his daughter and then at the doctor. He stood and put out his hand, "Thank you Dr. Kerns, you've been very helpful. I trust you'll let us know when Mr. Vaughn is out of surgery."

Dr. Kerns rose as well and shook Jack's hand. "Of course, I'll let you know the moment I do. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you, or if you have any other questions."

With that, he left the room. Jack looked back down at Sydney who seemed lost in her thoughts.

"Sydney?"

"Yes?"

"Do you want to be alone for a while?"

"Yes."

Jack left his daughter to ponder her thoughts.

Ten minutes later, Sydney emerged from the consultation room and found her father and Weiss and the other agents in the waiting room. Weiss was pacing quietly, and several of the other agents were conversing in hushed tones. They all looked at Sydney when she entered, several smiled, but no one approached her or asked her any questions. Her dad must have briefed them, she thought. She took a seat next to her father and waited like everyone else in the room.