FORGOTTEN MEMORIES!—18

Joe lay in the bed thinking about the box tucked away at the back of his desk. He'd bought it what felt like a lifetime ago and was beginning to wonder if the time would ever be right. He loved Peggy Fair and wanted her in his life forever, but there were times when he wondered if their love could surpass the snobbish attitudes of some people. He didn't want to cause her any more grief and pain, but he didn't want to lose her either. Shifting slightly on the bed he fought back the pain and resisted the urge to cough as he tried to get comfortable. Several times during the night he'd coughed until his lungs felt like they were being torn from his chest, but at least some of the mucus was coming up.

"Joe, can I get you anything?" Mandy Lawrence, the new night nurse asked softly.

"N...no...thanks. J...just need to rest," Mannix answered and heard her moving about the room. Again his thoughts went back to the woman he cared so much about and he remembered the soccer game they'd attended with Toby. The boy had been so excited and scored two goals while they cheered from the sidelines. The team had won six to four and the trio had gone out for ice cream right after. Toby was a wonderful boy and his excitement was easily read in the dancing smile that covered his face when he dug into the banana split. It was during this time; while Peggy had gone to wash her hands that Toby asked if he was going to marry Peggy. Joe was slightly taken aback until he realized the same question had been on his own mind for a long time. Peggy's return had saved him from answering, but the question was always there and the answer was tucked into his desk at home.

"Joe, it's time for your mask," Mandy informed him as she switched him to the mask that held the bronchodilator. She made sure it was being properly delivered before leaving him to his thoughts once more.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Peggy sat by the window looking out at the full bodied moon high overhead. How many times had she sat like this during the time Joe Mannix had been missing? How many tears had she shed over the detective during those hours? There was no simple answer to either question, but sometimes it felt like it was too much. Her heart ached to hold him in her arms, but that was not to be and she pulled her robe around her as a soft breeze blew through the open window.

'Oh, Joe, how do I tell you how much you mean to me?' she thought as she bit her bottom lip and fought back the tears. She knew in her heart the future was not always bright, but some part of her clung to the idea that there was a future for her and Joe Mannix. It was just going to take time and that was something they now had.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Two days passed with Joe responding to the newest treatments and arguing that he didn't need to be in the SICU any longer. Andrew Lewis was finally in agreement and was on his way to give his impatient patient the good news. He was surprised to find Mannix alone in the room when he entered and was somewhat taken aback by the troubled look on the man's face.

"Joe, is something wrong?"

"Oh, hi, Doc, no, I'm okay."

"Doesn't sound like it. Maybe I can help."

"No, I don't think so, Doc. Not with this anyway. It's something I need to take care of myself when I get out of here," Mannix told him.

"All right, but the offer stands, Joe. Now what do you say about getting rid of some of these accessories and moving you out of here?"

"Sounds good, Doc," Mannix told him as he spotted a familiar figure walking toward the room. He smiled inwardly at the warmth he felt whenever she was present and vowed to ask her when he was released from the hospital.

"Hi, Joe. Dr. Lewis."

"Hello, Peggy, I'll leave you alone so Joe can tell you his news." The physician took a quick look at the monitors before leaving the room.

"Hi, Peg. Thanks, Doc," Mannix said as Peggy lowered the rail and sat on the bed.

"What news?" Peggy asked, taking his left hand in hers.

"Doc says I don't need constant surveillance anymore. I'm being sprung from here."

"He did? You are?" Peggy asked, smiling as she saw the look on Mannix's face.

"Yes," Mannix answered simply.

"Oh, Joe, I'm so glad." She bent over him and placed a kiss on his forehead and sighed contentedly at the feel of his body against hers.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

"Okay, Joe, my name is Sarah and I'll be one of the nurses looking after you today. If there's anything you need just push the button beside your left hand. I'm going to give you something for pain and then I'd like you to try and sleep." She placed a syringe into his IV and injected the pain medication. She placed the nasal canulas over his head and checked the flow to make sure it was set exactly as ordered. "The meds should help, Joe, and I've also given you an anti nausea medication Dr. Lewis ordered."

"T...thanks, Sarah," Mannix said and closed his eyes. The move from ICU to a private room had taken a lot out of him and he shifted slightly on the bed. He knew Peggy had gone down to the cafeteria to get a coffee, and let his eyes close as he waited her return. He drifted toward sleep, dreaming of the possibility of a future with the woman he loved.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Peggy stopped in the doorway to room 208 and stared at the man in the bed. Joe Mannix slept while his face was bathed in a soft overhead light. The dark bruises were showing signs of fading, but the bullet crease stood out starkly on his forehead. She remembered another time when he'd been shot, again it was only a graze, but it had cost Joe his eyesight and set him up as a target for a hired killer. The dress she wore today was the same one she'd worn the day he got his sight back and again she thanked God for giving the detective back his eyesight. Taking a deep breath she walked into the room and sat in the chair beside the window. Again she studied the handsome face and smiled as his eyes opened and he fought to focus on her.

"Peg," he whispered and reached for the button that would raise his head.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."

"Wasn't really sleeping," Mannix assured her as she reached behind him and plumped the pillows there. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. How do you feel?"

"Honestly, Peg, I'm not feeling much of anything right now. Whatever they're giving me is just making me feel numb."

"It's a good thing they are, Joe. Imagine how it would feel if they weren't giving you the good stuff."

"No...no, I don't think I want to think about that," Mannix said, and suddenly turned serious.

"Joe, what's wrong?" Fair asked worriedly.

"Peggy, what happened to Al?"

"She's dead, Joe. She was killed the day we found you."

"Dead? Are you sure?"

"I saw her body myself. She can't hurt you anymore...I wouldn't lie to you about that, Joe."

"I k...know you wouldn't, Peg," Mannix said, his voice laced with pain and sorrow. He smiled as Peggy took his left hand in her own. "She was crazy you know…blamed me for everything."

"I know and I can't say I'm sorry she's dead, Joe."

"Neither can I. I thought I was dead out there Peggy. When I hit the water I felt totally helpless and I tried to h...hold my breath, but it was impossible. So much pain and then it was all gone. I felt like I didn't need to struggle anymore...that everything was all right and then I didn't feel anything at all."

"She put you through hell, Joe, and I...I thought I'd lost you. I couldn't...didn't want to think about it. Art and Albi brought you back. All I could do was watch..."

"Peggy, I think I heard you...not literally, but there was something I needed to tell you."

"What?"

"I want you to know how much..."

"Can we come in?"

"Joe, do you feel up to some company?" Peggy asked when she saw who was at the door.

"Sure," Joe answered as Albi led a young boy into the room. "Hey, Sport, how's the soccer going?"

"Hi, Joe, we won...we're going to the finals. We'll be playing next week. Can you come?" The excitement in his voice was contagious and Joe patted the edge of the bed.

"The finals...that's great news, Champ."

"We're not champs yet, Joe," Toby frowned when he saw the damage done to his hero for the first time. "Does it hurt?"

"Yes, but it's not bad right now," Mannix answered honestly. "Hello, Albi. I think I owe you for saving my life."

"You don't owe me anything, Joe. God knows you've saved mine a time or two or three or..."

"Okay, okay, I get the point," Joe laughed softly.

"Will you be able to come to the game, Joe?"

"Toby, that'll be up to Joe's doctors..."

"I'll try my best, Toby, even if it means just getting out for the day," Mannix assured him and ruffled the boy's hair.

"Now, Joe, that depends on Dr. Lewis," Peggy scolded, but smiled inwardly at the look on Mannix's face.

"Can I watch TV?" Toby asked.

"Toby, you came here to visit Joe not to watch TV..."

"But, Mom," the boy tried and smiled as Mannix took up his plea.

"Actually, Peg, I'd like to watch a little TV myself. Isn't it time for the Road Runner?"

"Oh, I like that show myself," Albi said and took up the call. "Road Runner if he catches you you're through."

"That's the one," Joe said and watched as Peggy shook her head and laughed.

"I can't fight all of you," she said as she turned on the television. They settled in and Peggy watched the two older men and her son watching the cartoon. The lines of pain on her boss's face seemed to diminish as he laughed with the others and she was glad Toby had suggested it.

MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX

Joe looked up as a member of the kitchen staff entered his room. She placed a tray on the table and pulled it closer to the detective.

"You need to eat so you will get strong," the woman said as she pointed to the tray before leaving.

Joe leaned wearily against the pillows as he breathed in the mist from the bronchodilator and tried to calm his tumultuous stomach. He'd been in the new room for three days and to say he was getting antsy would be an understatement. He wanted out from under all the medications and scrutiny of the nursing staff, but knew arguing the point was like beating a dead horse. He closed his eyes, ignoring the tray in front of him and tried to get comfortable. His right knee was immobilized and made it impossible for him to move much and he was frustrated.

"Joe, are you awake?"

"Yeah, I'm awake, Art. Can you tell the nurse to come in and get rid of this damn thing?" Mannix asked motioning to the mask covering his face.

"Sure," Malcolm said and motioned to someone at the desk. "She'll be right in. How are you feeling?"

"Better, just wish I could convince Dr. Lewis to let me out of here."

"Joe, be reasonable. You were nearly killed, hell you were killed and you need to give yourself a chance to heal. You're not superman!"

"Don't you think I know that? Damn it, Art, I've spent more time in the hospital lately than I have at home. I'm tired of being poked and prodded and I just want out of here!"

"I know and you will, Joe, just not at this very minute."

"Mr. Mannix, was there something I can help you with?"

"Yes, can you get rid of this thing for me?"

"Certainly. I was just coming in anyway. Do you want something for pain?"

"No," the detective snapped and lay back against the pillow as the movement sapped what little energy he had left.

"Easy, Joe, she's not the enemy here."

"Ah, hell, look I'm sorry. I'm just..."

"Tired," the nurse asked.

"Yes, tired of being here. Joe's not the most patient man in the world. In fact I'd say he's ready to escape if given the opportunity."

"Give me my crutches and you'll see just how fast I can move," Mannix said as the nurse checked his knee and fixed the pillows under his leg. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Are you at least going to try your dinner tonight?"

"Not hungry..."

"Joe..."

"Look, Art, right now my stomach feels like it's ready to explode and I'd rather not end up throwing up all over the place."

"Mr. Mannix, I can give you something to calm your stomach. Dr. Lewis still has Zofran listed as your anti nausea medication. You're also due for your pain meds and antibiotics."

"Okay," Mannix agreed and closed his eyes.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, Mr. Mannix."

Joe heard her leave and raised the head of his bed a little more. The lids had been removed from his meal and he looked at it in disgust.

"Joe, you need it or they'll keep you on the IV indefinitely."

"I know, Art, and believe me I'm trying, but this," he lifted the card and read the words. "Clear fluid diet leaves a lot to be desired. I just can't get interested in orange or green or red Jell-O anymore!"

"That's understandable, Joe, but until you can prove that you're eating it and keeping it down that's what they'll bring you."

"Don't I know it," the detective answered as the nurse returned with his meds. Joe silently accepted everything she gave him and waited until the churning of his stomach calmed before looking at the bland meal again.

"Come on, Joe, it's not that bad?"

"Well, Art, if you think that then you eat it."

"I would, but that wouldn't go very far toward getting you out of here."

"Guess you're right," Mannix said as he lifted the spoon and began eating the thin broth.

TBC