Just a quick note to thank all the people who've taken the time to review this story, it really does keep me motivated. I hope you enjoy the latest installment.
Chapter Four
Doctor Carmen sat in his office sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee, his white lab coat was thrown across his sofa, in his hand was the file of Abigail Sciuto which his secretary had handed to him with the drink. He took a long swig and set the mug on the desk, lifting out the most recent image of her brain and held it up the light. He sighed, "Not bright enough." And he rose and slid it into the holder on the wall and switched on the back light to take a closer look. He stood there a while, pulling his glasses out of his shirt pocket and looked through the lenses without even unfolding the arms. He sighed and pulled on his lab coat, and left his office.
His secretary saw him leaving and jogged to catch up.
"Doctor, there's a group of her friends waiting for news, including a Doctor Mallard."
He slowed down, "Thank you, Sarah. Could you make sure the nurses ready the third O.R for me? I'm sure it's empty." He knew that the elective surgery's wouldn't be happening at two in the morning.
She nodded and went to carry out his orders.
He straightened his lab coat and went around the back of the intensive care section so that he could take a look at his patient in person. He was used to the sterile environment, but he had never gotten used to this cramped area. There was a concentration of nurses and emergency equipment, prepared for the worst at all times. He wandered through and greeted nurses by name.
"Hi Sylvia, where's Abigail?" He felt it was important to use the first names of his patients.
She smiled up at the handsome Doctor pleased that he took the time to learn her name, "Third cubicle on the left."
He drew the white curtains and lifted her chart from the end of the bed, flicking through the last set of tests for a moment. He looked over the metal clipboard towards her and was astonished by her youthful face. He slowly set the chart back in it's place and drew closer to her. He tried to imagine what she would look like without all of the cuts and bruises, pipes and needles. She was beautiful. He had to shake his head for a moment to snap out of the trance.
"Nurse." He said at normal volume.
She quickly appeared as if she'd been waiting on the other side of the curtain for him to summon her.
"I'll need Ms Sciuto prepped for surgery, there's some definite pressure on the brain." He paused and scanned the young woman's face, he wished he could see her eyes. Then he nodded at the nurse and went out into the waiting room to talk to her friends.
He knew who they were before he'd even stepped through the doors, there were other families waiting but this one group stood out, so mismatched.
"Doctor Mallard?" He enquired.
"Yes, that would be me," Ducky shook his hand, "Doctor Carmen I presume, do you have news?"
His gentle accent made the Doctor feel at ease, but the news wasn't the best. He nodded at the mention of his name.
"Ms Sciuto has some pressure build up in her skull. That means that I'll have to go in and drill some small holes through the bone to prevent any permanent brain damage. She's being prepared for the surgery now, it's important that it gets done as soon as possible."
The director came forward and shook his hand, "Director Shepherd," She introduced herself with her title on purpose, "But please call me, Jenny."
He leaned in as they shook hands.
Gibbs looked at the man sternly, trying to discern whether he was good enough to operate on Abby.
A nurse appeared and stood waiting for Dr. Carmen.
He stared back at Gibbs, "I assure you, I've done this many times before. Abigail couldn't be in better hands." He looked over the group. "If you'll excuse me, I'd better get to it."
Gibbs' team and Palmer nodded. Gibbs watched him go.
Ducky turned to face them all and Jenny looked at her watch.
"Call me if there's any news," she glanced at Jethro , "I have to get some sleep." She didn't have to explain herself, but these were her friends. She lay a hand on Ducky's arm for a moment, and looked at Gibbs one more time before leaving.
Tony stood talking in a low voice to McGee and Ducky went to talk to Palmer who looked rather pale.
Gibbs hated waiting, hated imagining how things were going. He shook his head, wishing this was not real, that the nightmare of today would end. He didn't want to be in the room with sympathetic friends. He needed to clear his head, so he left.
Ducky looked over his shoulder and watched him go, his eyes lingering a moment as he decided not to follow him, and he returned to telling Palmer about the time his friend fell off a telephone pole in Brussels.
The nurses cleared the beds top sheet and coverlet, the two of them worked in silence. One lifted her head and the other took the pillow and lay a light sterile square of material beneath. Her head was rested back onto the flat. The brunette nurse took the razor and switched it on, its buzzing seemed to sing out through the ward. She didn't pause as she gently shaved Abby's hair, section by section, until there was just a stark white face with an exposed scalp.