Mackland Ames, the Doctor
Part two
Disclaimer: see part one
As I returned the phone to its base a million things were going through my mine, but only one thing was playing on my heart. My Son, a young man that has been such an important part of my life, who is my life, has amnesia. Not the type that results in not being able to recall the hit and run accident that placed him in the hospital. But according to the doctor I just finished talking with, it was a retrograde amnesia that resulted in my son not remembering anything about his past; his name, his friends, his family. He was totally lost, surrounded by men he saw as strangers, but who were men he would normally trust with his life.
I knew when the doctor and I discussed Caleb's desire to not have any visitors that it would upset Elijah and Ethan. According to the doctor the vice-cop had accompanied Caleb to the hospital, had been there when my son had first woken up and didn't know who he was, or who Ethan was. However Caleb needed this sense of control right now. He was a grown man and could have anyone he wanted barred from the room. I just hoped once Dean and Sam got to him that Caleb didn't force them away because Dean would not take that well. If I know the eldest Winchester at all he is breaking every speed limit law in order to reach his best friend.
I reached for the phone again, quickly dialing the all too familiar number as I pulled open the drawer of my desk, finding the needed file. "Sam, I need you boys to stop at the nearest library, I have to fax you something."
"Hold on a minute Mac." Sam said as I heard him try to cover the phone, relaying the request to Dean. 'Just do it Dean.' the younger man's voice returned to the receiver. "Sorry Mac, Dean's not thrilled with the side trip, he wants to know why?"
"I need to get you the paper work that will allow you access to Caleb medical information." I countered. So much for Dean's following orders without question. I'm secretly glad he has finally started being his own man, not waiting for other's to give him the okay, but damn if this time I really needed him to do as I asked.
Sam's voice drew my attention back to the phone, "Mac is something wrong? Did the doctor give you any more information?"
Should I tell them about the amnesia or hope that it will somehow correct itself before they arrive? However before I could answer Dean's voice came through the phone, "Damn it Mac, if you know something I should know before I get there, then tell me. Is Caleb okay?"
Taking a deep breath, I told myself it wasn't lying, just omitting certain information for the sake of keeping the young man on the other end of the phone from getting himself and his brother killed in an accident. "The doctor says that with some time and rest Caleb should be fine, nothings broken, just a moderate concussion, but he is awake. However, you know as well as I do that if you don't have the paperwork that proves your family there is no way you are going to get any of his medical information. Especially if they are still running any test."
"Why would they be running test Mac, if he's gonna be okay?" Dean's voice was getting the pissed tone he'd use if Sam or Caleb were keeping something from him and I really wasn't caring for it at the moment.
I glanced up as Silas walked into the room, motioning he had gotten us a flight. Nodding I returned my attention to Dean. "Look Dean, I know you are worried, but I need you to do this. It's going to be a few hours before I can get to him; Silas just informed me he got us a flight. I trust you to take care of things until I get there. Have Sam call Caroline as soon as you locate a fax, she will send the needed papers. I will see you boys soon. Please just be careful." My shoulder's slumped a little at Dean's clipped reply. He reminded me of his father when he did that. John hadn't handle fear and worry well either, both would become defensive, lashing out at those closest to them when they were under extreme duress.
Once hanging up I made one more phone call. This one to Caroline. I faxed her the documents, instructing her to fax them to Sam when he called. Finally hanging up the phone I grabbed my cell from its charger then my overnight bag from the closet. Leaving my office I met Silas at the front door and we quickly left, on our way to the airport.
A few hours later I was pacing in the middle of the Atlanta Airport. Our connection flight to Dallas was delayed because of the remnants of the latest hurricane to come through the Gulf. This was one of those times I really wished I possessed the ability to transport myself like Dean has said Castiel can do. I am so close, yet so far from my son. The only comfort I was taking was that Sam and Dean should have made it to the hospital by now. And as if confirmation needed to be made my phone rang. "Sam, are you boys there yet?"
"Why didn't you tell us?" I closed my eye's, rubbing them. I knew it would come back on me, but I had my reasons.
"I needed your brother to stay focused on getting you two to Dallas in one piece. I couldn't very well tell him the Caleb may not recognize him once he got there." I was still trying to wrap my own head around that information. In all my years as a Neurosurgeon, it was rare for a patient to completely lose their memories. I only recall one instance actually, but the young man then had recovered his memories within a few days. However with all my research I couldn't discover the moment that had triggered that recovery. The only thing I knew to do was to surround the patient with what was familiar and hope that would help.
"Mac, Dean is totally freaked out. When we walked into Caleb's room it was like looking into the eyes of a stranger, it was eerie. Dean keeps trying to interact with Caleb like normal and Caleb just seems to get more nervous and agitated." Sam seemed to almost ramble, a trait he had when he was worried or trying to come up with a solution to a problem.
"I'm sorry Sam; I know I should have mentioned it." Sitting heavily in an empty row of chairs I looked over at Silas who was sitting one aisle over. "Other than the amnesia, how is Caleb?" I needed someone I knew, someone I trusted to tell me how my son was. The doctor relayed Caleb's medical condition, but that was facts, not how he really was.
I heard Sam take a deep breath, then heard a door close in the background. "He's bruised up pretty good, one eye is swollen shut. He doesn't seem sure about leaving with us, but a part of Caleb is still in there somewhere because he didn't like the doctor's idea of staying in the psych ward until you go here. Both he and Dean jumped at that. I think that when they release him he will come with us just because he doesn't feel he has any other choice. Mac he's scared."
My son was scared. My brave son, the man who has faced so much in his life, who has overcome so much, who has seen true evil and never blinked is now scared. I could feel my heart drop to my stomach. When Caleb was younger and had just come to live with me, he would have nightmares. I remember many nights of rushing into his room, him screaming at whatever terrors were playing out before his wide, glazed eyes. I would hold him until he calmed enough to fall back to sleep in my arms. I had always been there for him when he was scared, but now I was still hundreds of miles away, of no use at all to him.
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees as I spoke again, "Look Sam, if Caleb is going to be released soon, I'm just going to get a car and drive up to Jim's place, you boys meet us there. Hopefully if we get Caleb somewhere familiar it will help."
"Do you really think it will?" Sam sounded so young, so unsure, not a normal sound heard from the grown man on the other end.
"Do you want the doctor's answer or his father's answer?" I asked quietly.
"Both" He responded.
"The doctor in me doesn't know for sure, amnesia is something that is very tricky to treat. You usually just have to wait and hope the memories will return. The father in me prays that it will be as easy as him coming home." I learned long ago that nothing will change a scientific point of view quicker than when your child is sick or injured. It's then that you will grasp onto any ray of hope you can find, pray for any miracle that could be out there. Being a parent caused you to have faith in the improbable and the impossible for the sake of your child.
"I think he might be released in a few hours. We'll head toward the farm then. I'll call you again from the road. What should we do if he starts asking questions?" Sam asked, sounding tired.
"Be as truthful as possible, if you try to lie about something and he realizes it, he won't trust us. Don't go into any details, but tell him the truth, or as much as you can. Just remember he doesn't know what we do, it would be like telling a person on the street. His first instinct will be to get away from you because he'll think you're crazy." The thought of trying to explain the Brotherhood to Caleb at this time added a whole other set of worries to my soul. "And ask Dean to keep his gun out of sight." I knew asking the Winchester's to disarm would be like asking a Demon to attend Sunday church services, but they needed to at least keep them concealed.
"I'll do my best Mac. We'll get him home safe; I'll talk to you soon." Sam answered as I heard a door open and close again.
"I never doubted you would, be careful, I'll see you boys soon." With a quick goodbye I heard the line disconnect as Sam hung up. Slipping my phone back in my pocket I put my head in my hands a moment still trying to process everything.
I didn't hear Silas approach until he touched my shoulder. "Everything all right Mac?"
I saw genuine concern on the younger man's face. "As well as we can expect." I stood slowly, reaching for my bag in the chair next to me. "We need to get a car and head toward the farm. Dean and Sam are going to be taking Caleb there when he's discharged, hopefully in a few hours."
Silas nodded, "I'll have a couple of guys drive down from New York and meet us there. Until we know for sure this wasn't something against you or the future Triad I believe the extra detail is warranted."
We both headed toward the car rental desk, "You know I'm still not use to this protection detail thing and Dean isn't going to like the extra people at the farm."
Silas reached out, stopping my forward motion. "Your son, the future Knight, entrusted your safety to me. It is a responsibility I take very seriously, you are the Scholar. I know the farm is protected, but I have to think of all the possibilities, supernatural or not. With the future Triad coming to the farm I need to make sure everything is secure, especially with Caleb injured. The future Guardian will understand."
Releasing my arm we continued toward the counter. "Thank you Silas, for everything. I just need to focus on getting my son home safe and helping him recover."
"Then let's get you safely to the farm and you can start to figure out what you need to do to do just that." Silas nodded as he pulled his phone out, while I stepped up to the rental counter getting a vehicle that will get me that much closer to Caleb.
A/N: what do you think so far? still okay? I see one more part coming, it will be the longest I think so it will take me some time, I have to get what's in my head onto the paper and it not sound totally crazy (or maybe totally crazy is good, who knows) anyway, let me know what ya think and I'll see ya soon! Thanks for checking it out-Montez