(THIS IS A LONG CHAPTER.
I seriously didn't mean for it to be as long as it is, but... there's not really a section that I hate, so I guess it's a good chapter.
I've said it about chapters one and two, but this one reaaaaaally likes to jump around.
Also, Alexa... Derek got sick of being in Afghanistan, so when he came back, he said "I am TAKING A BREAK from Caduceus" and Dr. Hoffman and Sidney said that that was okay.
Also, if you want a slightly more in-depth explanation as to the title of this, check out my bio. It's not long, so you won't be reading for more than maybe five minutes.
Characters © Nintendo
GUILT(Gangliated Utrophin Immuno Latency Toxin) © Nintendo
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Perfect Death
Chapter Four- Pempti: The Fourth Day
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"What is his status, Greg?"
Rustling papers. A tense silence.
"Failure of the left lung... and near total heart failure. We've placed him on life support in the intensive care unit."
"Do you know the cause?"
"We believe-... we're waiting for the results of the Chiron Wavelength Test, but almost without a doubt..."
"...I see."
A soft knock on the door. Someone walks in- the third party.
"Dr. Kasal, Dr. Hoffman. I... I have the results... of the Chiron Test."
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A tense silence, finally broken by the third party's gentle sobbing.
"...Greg, you will be in charge of his care," Dr. Hoffman informed. "I have some... important business to attend to."
Dr. Kasal gave Dr. Hoffman a confused look- but it suddenly changed to one of understanding.
How could he have forgotten the stories of the Miracle Worker?
"If you two would excuse me..." the director kindly stated.
After stepping out of his office, she couldn't help it. Her cries became louder as she lost control.
"Angie..." Dr. Kasal reached out, gently placing a comforting arm around her heaving shoulders.
"H-how... how could this happen?!" she choked out through her thick tears. "A- At Caduceus Europe... after last time, they... they said he was immune... why would they lie, Dr. Kasal?!"
Dr. Kasal "shh"-ed Angie softly, patiently waiting for her to start calming down again.
"I don't think they were lying," he said quietly. "I think that this time, this... this isn't normal. But it's going to be alright, Angie."
"H-how can you be so sure...?" she sobbed. Dr. Kasal smiled slightly.
"We are talking about Derek, after all. Do you think he would give up so easily?"
Though tears still streamed down her face, Angie grew quiet, mulling over his words.
"I'm going to go check on him," Dr. Kasal continued. "Would you like to join me?"
"...yes... I... I would like that, Dr. Kasal."
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"...alright. Thank you for agreeing to do this on such short notice. ...yes, let me know when you get back. ...goodbye, Sidney."
Dr. Hoffman hung up his phone, ending his conversation with Sidney Kasal. Preparing himself for a potentially difficult conversation, he picked up the phone again.
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The sun was shining in Europe. Children were out playing with their friends, lovers sat in parks and enjoyed picnics with their significant others...
...and Langston Miller was inside, still trying to sort out the final remnants of the GUILT episode from nearly six months ago.
Frustrated, he set down his paperwork, glancing longingly out his window. It was on days like this that he almost wished he had never gotten involved with medicine. What he wouldn't give for a day off...
His phone began to ring. Sighing, he picked it up and brought the receiver to his ear.
"Miller, Director of Caduceus Europe." His tone was strictly business.
"Langston... it's Robert Hoffman."
"...you've caught me in a busy moment, Robert," Langston informed, dropping his guard slightly.
"Yes, and certainly our current issues are as important or more so than yours." Hoffman's tone was nothing but serious.
What Langston Miller heard next drained all the color from his already pale face.
"B-But... that's not--"
"Don't say it's not possible. If it weren't, we would not be having this conversation."
"...what do you need from me?"
"You've already guessed what we need, haven't you? We need her."
"I'm sure someone told you that she can't--"
"Her escort will be arriving at your doorsteps by midnight, along with her passport. There are only two ways this story ends, Langston: either she comes and he has a chance at life, or you keep her and he dies."
Langston hesitated, thinking...
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Angie sat in her chair, watching Derek. She didn't care that he couldn't hear her, couldn't see her, couldn't know that she was there. She wouldn't leave his side. Not now...
Dr. Hoffman entered the room. Angie refused to look away from Derek.
"Angie," Dr. Hoffman spoke, "how are you?"
"I... I'm fine, Dr. Hoffman," Angie replied, her voice somewhat emotionless, flat, to prevent another outburst of tears. "What... what is going to Derek?"
"I have recently contacted Sidney Kasal," Dr. Hoffman informed, "and told him what happened. Right now he should be at the airport, getting on the plane to pick up an important asset from Caduceus Europe."
"An asset...?" Angie frowned, thinking. "...do you mean--"
"I do."
"...do you think that... that she can do it?" Angie allowed her worry to show in her quiet voice. "She... she hasn't operated on these alone..."
"And she won't be," Dr. Hoffman added. "But she has more experience than nearly all of our doctors put together. ...have faith, Angie. Things will be alright in the end."
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Dr. Kasal's brother had been to Caduceus Europe once, and had promised himself he'd never go again. He couldn't care less for the emotionally detached, overconfident surgeons that claimed to be "the best that Europe has to offer."
And here I am, ready to do something I'd never thought I'd have to do, Sidney couldn't help but smile grimly to himself as he walked down the dimly-lighted halls of Caduceus Europe. His security escorts kept glancing at him suspiciously.
And I don't blame them for being suspicious. It must be hard to believe that an American doctor would just show up unannounced, demanding to see Director Miller. But at least they know how to do their jobs...
"Wait here, sir," one of the guards ordered as the reached the end of the hall. He opened the door and walked in, closing it behind him.
"Director Miller, Dr. Kasal is here."
"Very well. Please bring him in and leave us be."
"...sir, I have my... doubts about this man. Are you sure you wouldn't have someone in the room with you, just in case--"
"Ian, if Dr. Hoffman has sent him, then there is nothing to worry about. Bring him in and leave us be."
"...yes, sir."
The door opened, and the guard stepped out, keeping his mistrusting eyes on Sidney.
"The director will see you now."
Sidney entered the office of Langston Miller. The guards shut the door behind him as he strode across the room to where Miller was standing.
"Dr. Kasal," the director greeted, holding out a hand. Sidney took it, and they shook briefly before sitting down. "I wish our meeting could be under better circumstances."
"Indeed," Sidney nodded. Or not at all. "I assume that Dr. Hoffman explained Dr. Stiles' situation to you?"
"He did," Langston confirmed. "However, there is something that puzzles me... if I understand right, Dr. Stiles is infected with two strains...?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Why can't Dr. Hoffman operate on it himself? he has operated on these strains before, has he not?"
Sidney bristled. He was not looking forward to this.
"Had Dr. Hoffman decided that he could handle it on his own, I would not be here, Mr. Miller."
"But certainly there are excellent doctors in America. Dr. Clarks, perhaps? Or, I've heard your brother is an excellent surgeon..."
"This is an extremely delicate situation. We need someone who has encountered both strains before."
"There must be someone else as--"
Sidney Kasal had finally lost his patience.
"Mr. Miller," he cut Langston off, his voice cold. "Perhaps you don't fully understand what Caduceus USA has done for you."
"I understand perfectly well." Now Langston Miller was raising his defenses.
"I don't think you do," Sidney countered, fixing his glasses. "The two people that dismantled the bomb at that symposium were Caduceus USA staff. We gave you permission to take the surgeon and nurse who best knew how to treat GUILT out to Africa. It was a Caduceus USA researcher who gave you the treatments for Tetarti and Pempti--"
"I understand that, Dr. Kasal, but--"
"When Dr. Stiles came to Caduceus Europe, he became infected with GUILT under -your- watch... as did Dr. Hoffman, as a matter of fact." Sidney continued. "Not only that, but they saved the lives of twenty-two of your greatest doctors.
"Am I missing anything?"
Langston's face turned an interesting shade of peach.
"No matter how you look at it, Mr. Miller, you are in our debt," Sidney stated coolly. "If she does not come to America, Dr. Stiles will die. Robert Hoffman is only mortal; he has acknowledged that he can't possibly operate alone. And I imagine support for Caduceus Europe would drop considerably if people found out that you wouldn't send us the one surgeon who could help save his life..."
"Are you threatening me, Dr. Kasal?" Langston growled slightly.
I am painting the picture of your future if you continue being difficult," Sidney's eyes were harsh and unrelenting. "It is still your choice however. Is that the future you want?"
For several minutes, tense silence filled the room, both men frowning, refusing to back down.
Finally, Langston smirked.
"Very well, Dr. Kasal."
A forgotten swivel-chair in the back corner spun around. Sidney glanced at its occupant.
Her piercing silver eyes seemed highly amused as she glanced over Sidney, assessing him.
"Please," Langston added, "do take care of Dr. Kimishima, will you?"
"Yes," Sidney nodded, rising from his seat, "we will."
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"Angie, go home. Get some sleep."
"I'm fine, Dr. Kasal."
Greg Kasal sighed, refusing to argue with Angie, who continued to stay faithfully by Derek's side.
"At least get something to eat."
"I already ate. I'll be fine."
He couldn't help but smile. "If you insist, Angie..."
"Mm..." Angie brushed Derek's limp hair out of his ashen face. "Do we know if Naomi is coming yet...?"
"I'm sure Dr. Hoffman will let us know as soon as he gets a call from--"
Dr. Kasal's phone suddenly began to ring. Quickly, he pulled it out of his pocket and answered it.
"Greg Kasal."
"Hello, Greg. How are you?"
"...Sidney? I thought you were in Europe."
"I still am. Listen, I lost Dr. Hoffman's number, it's very late and I'm worn out from fighting with stubborn people. Tell Dr. Hoffman that we got Kimishima."
"Alright. have a safe flight home.. don't get into any more arguments, Sidney."
"Yes, Mother."
Greg could hear his brother chuckling as he hung up. A grin spread slowly across his face.
"Angie, will you come with me? I have to tell Dr. Hoffman some good news."
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"I see. That's good... I knew I could count on Sidney."
Dr. Hoffman was sitting at his desk. Greg stood, watching Dr. Hoffman, along with Angie, who allowed silent tears of joy and hope to stream down her face.
"Greg, Angie, I need you both to stay here at Hope... but your shifts are over. Get some rest. Operation briefing starts as soon as Kimishima arrives at Hope. I'll call you both when she gets here."
"Yes, Dr. Hoffman," Greg nodded, exiting the office. Angie, however, remained where she was.
"D-Dr. Hoffman..." she said, endlessly worrying that he would say no to her request. "Is... is it okay if I... stay with Derek?"
"Of course, Angie. ...but, you do need to rest soon. Alright?"
"Yes... thank you... Doctor."
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"Here."
A hairy brown... thing was shoved into Kimishima's hands.
"What is this?"
"You need to look like your passport photo," Sidney responded simply. Sighing, Naomi pulled on the long-haired wig as they exited Caduceus Europe.
"Anything else?" the somewhat disguised Dr. Kimishima asked, only to have a small case of foundation thrown at her.
"You need to be darker. Don't forget about your hands, either."
Within five minutes, Naomi Kimishima appeared to be deeply tanned.
"Good," Sidney nodded, now focusing on catching a cab.
"Am I really unrecognizable?" Kimishima had her doubts about this half-hearted disguise.
"Don't worry. You look exactly like your photo..."
Sidney finally waved down a cab.
"...Victoria Kasal."
Naomi froze, then let a smirk play at her lips.
"She'll be furious when she finds out."
Sidney opened the back door, holding it open for her, watching her, amazed and saddened at how much she could so much like his wife had...
"No, she won't."
Their cab raced off to the airport.
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(Okay, who here feels sorry for Sidney for having to make Kimishima look like his dead wife? -raises hand-
My favorite part was, without a doubt, the whole "Sidney Kasal PWNS you" scene with Miller. I actually have a little index card here, that I wrote down all the things Caduceus USA has done for Caduceus Europe, see? -holds it up-
Next chapter, Sidney's going to start off a bit out of character... but it'll show a bit about his past, so it's all good!
The song reference here is reeeeeeeally obscure here... which reminds me. TCGeek, you were in the right ballpark- "Break Apart Her Heart," by Good Charlotte.
Just a thought... this chapter has inspired a one-to-twoshot story that focuses somewhat around Sidney (IneedtostopbeingaKasalfanI'MSOHOPELESS) and how he got involved with Caduceus. Would any of you read it?
Review, please!)