Chapter 44 [An Hour Later—Northwest Hospital]
Blake limped into the hospital. He'd left Foster a message at the office. Expectation foretold such a turn of events for Gwen…
…especially given his colleague and the latter's talents…
Dr. Strange's magic worked. I'm sure Mr. Parker and Miss Stacy are astounded. He raised an eyebrow. Spider-Man might've told Parker about Strange's talents. That would explain how supportive he was of my decision to bring Strange into the case. He nodded while pressing Elevator's call button and waiting for the car to come.
"Doc Blake?" Peter hustled over to him. Donuts rested in a paper box under his arm. Three coffees rested in their Styrofoam tray. "Sorry. Gwen had the urge for donuts. There's good news."
"I'd say there is if Nurse Allan's report is correct, Mr. Parker." Blake watched the doors open. "Follow me. I need to look her over first if you don't mind."
Peter nodded. "Sure. I appreciate you getting over here so fast. Maybe you can take a couple back to your office?" He motioned to the paper box anew. His eyes watched the lights move upward. "Thanks for the great work yesterday."
"You're welcome. I did what I could for Miss Stacy. Dr. Strange guided the rest of the operation himself. He told me what to do. I did the rest," Blake half-lied.
Peter didn't push the point. From that description, he sensed that Blake knew about Strange's abilities as well. "You both are great. I'm just glad Gwen's healing up." Smile reassured Blake that he wasn't going to push the point. As the elevator doors opened, he stepped to the side. "You first, Doc."
"Thank you." Appreciation prompted Blake to offer Peter a nod. He limped toward the Nurse's station. "Good morning, Nurse. Mr. Parker's with me."
Jones nodded. "Miss Stacy's healing is the talk of the town, Dr. Blake! Whatever Dr. Strange and you did in that OR was miraculous. Nice job." She raised an eyebrow. "I see Mr. Parker's still been busy." She held the Bugle up for consideration. "No flies on you! You even got my good side in the middle of that mess!" Smirk spread across her face.
"What is this? What happened?" Blake scanned the headline. "There was a fight here? Who's that?"
"Mark Raxton, the private room prisoner down the hall, broke out of his room. He almost had Liz and Miss Stacy as hostages. Then, Spider-Man shows up and stopped him. He used the hose on Mr. Raxton. Liz grabbed an extinguisher and got him in the back. I took the hose from the other hall and did the same. SWAT gassed that guy." Jones shrugged. "We never got to thank the Web Head for his help." She snorted at the newspaper. "I don't care what that guy Jameson says! He's a hero. He proved that yesterday."
Peter nodded. Accolades brightened his day still further. Of course, he knew Jameson would respond with one of his "SPIDER-MAN MENACE" editorials. He shoved that thought aside. At the moment, Hope, Anticipation and Bliss drew him into their shared sanctuary. He felt lighter than air. He wanted to see his angel walking about the room. "I had a chance at an exclusive. I took it."
"I should say you did! Hey! I won't keep you any longer from that lady." Jones motioned toward the door. "By the way, thanks for picking up Liz's spirits too. That girl's too caught up in her own world for her own good."
"Liz was really nice in high school. She deserves a good guy. She's also been keeping up with Gwen's recovery bit by bit last night. If you'll excuse me, I'll get these into Gwen. Doc?"
"Yes. We should be going. Thank you, Nurse Jones. Which room is Miss Stacy's?" Blake glanced at the busier hallway in front of them than the ICU's.
"Room 207. Thanks again for my picture in the paper, Mr. Parker. I appreciate it." Jones smiled at him again. Then she went back to her paperwork.
Peter wanted to hustle down the hall. Still, he didn't want to leave Blake in the dust. Somehow, Patience and Decorum restrained him to a polite walk. "They knew I was here to see Gwen. I ducked into a safe place and took the pictures. Then, I slipped away before the police got here."
"I gathered as much. I'm sure Spider-Man's used to keeping you safe as part of your arrangement?" Blake cleared his throat. Similarities between Peter's rationale and his own for Thor's appearances registered in his mind. Particularly, given Peter's earlier condition and Spider-Man's far from peak situation on the George Washington Bridge, the Web Spinner's headlong charge against odds and the Green Goblin reflected his and Thor's for Foster's sake against Loki, Mr. Hyde, the Cobra, the Executioner and the Enchantress. Defiance extended against Odin himself. Suddenly, Irreverence's mask made sense to him and by extension to Thor.
Masks and more masks…masks to protect those special ones…masks to enable one to help others in their unique and individual ways…. Amor's Directive be done. Consequences be damned…
Blake's eyes drifted to his walking stick. Thor appreciates him even if the irreverence grates on him. He suppressed the urge to share his secret. He looked up to see Peter watching him. "Sorry. My mind drifted for a minute."
Spider Sense nudged at Peter. Now what? Why is my Spider Sense going off now? Is it something about Doc Blake? First, Doc Strange reads my aura. Now, he puts two and two together? I know those pics were a nice payday but if I exposed myself? Grreeeattt! He squirmed before reapplying his poker face. He's keeping Doc Strange's secret. I sure hope he keeps Spidey's.
Blake offered a subtle nod just before they reached 207. "It's all right. Whatever you're thinking, I can assure you that it'll be fine." He knocked on the open door. "Miss Stacy?"
"Hi, Doc! Come on in!" Gwen called from her bed.
Blake limped into the room. "Mr. Parker and I rode the elevator together. Apparently, you called out for breakfast?" An uncharacteristic impishness cracked a smile across his face. "I've heard some great news about you from Nurse Allan."
"We have to celebrate if the reports are true." Peter came in after Blake. His mind spun over the doctor's possible discovery of his secret. His eyes, however, remained riveted on Gwen. "I can deal with a special wakeup call like that." His lips brushed Amor's sweet strokes across her forehead.
"Mmm…you'd better!" She spied Concern's look in his eyes. Now what? "Everything okay?"
"Sure. Everything's great. Let's allow the Doc to check you out." Peter motioned toward Blake for emphasis. He backed toward the table. "Sooner you get checked out, sooner you get the baked goods."
"Fine! Bribe a gal when she's down already!" Teasing lightened her tone. She winked at him. Then, she pulled her blanket and sheet back. "Watch, Doc!" She lifted each leg one at a time with care. Her toes wiggled. "The back's still pinching."
Admiration overwhelmed Blake as well. He understood Liz's amazement over this turn of events. Strange's spell reversed all of the damage except for that part of the back. Incredible! "I appreciate how you took each leg slowly, Miss Stacy. You're a medical marvel. I just need to draw your curtain for a minute. Mr. Parker, it'll just take a minute. I need to check her lower back."
"Sure, Doc." Peter watched Blake draw the curtain. Nerves ate at him for a heartbeat or two. He's just doing his job. Don't make more out of it than it has to be! He sucked in an impatient breath.
Blake undid her bottom back tie. He discovered Fading Purple, Black and Blue around the tailbone. He shook his head once again at Strange's and his combined results. At this rate, she'll be completely healed by tomorrow! Unbelievable! He refrained from touching the bone fragment's former location. "You seem to be in excellent shape all things considered. I'll check you again tomorrow morning. Mr. Stark and Dr. Richards send their best wishes by the way."
"That's so great! Well, we appreciate it!" Deep Sigh puffed out from her mouth. Disbelief overwhelmed her over Peter's (or rather, Spider-Man's) amazing friends. At least some folks like my guy! I can't believe he's worked with the FF and some of the Avengers! That's so cool! What's Peter going to say about Dr. Strange? (Of course, she had no idea about Blake's secret along those lines…) She watched him open the curtain.
"What's the verdict, Doc?" Peter straightened up. He looked at Blake and then to Gwen.
"Miss Stacy's healing quickly. The bruising on her back has just about gone away. I saw no swelling or inflammation." Blake stepped back. "Miss Stacy, maybe we can try rolling over on your side? Let me know if you lose any feeling or sensation."
She rolled over onto her left side with little effort. Then, she returned to her former position. After that, she rolled over onto her right side. Pressure compelled her to take a breath. "I'm still feeling the sheet, Doc. There was some pressure when I rolled on the right side. Left side was fine." She eased herself into a sitting position. "A little twinge." She shrugged. "Can I borrow an arm, Mr. P?"
"Sure." Peter looked to Blake. When the latter nodded, he helped her to the edge of the bed. "If you feel anything, you let us know. Let's be patient. Okay?" Insecurity ate at him over her pace. He wanted her to walk and dance across that floor too. He just didn't want to undo the healing process.
"Silly! Confidence!" She eased her feet onto the floor. "Ready? One step for medicine and another for lovers everywhere." She stood on her own. She shook her head. "I'm doing it!"
"You sure are, Pretty Lady!" Peter rubbed her shoulder. "I'm right here by your side." He remained a couple of inches away from her.
"Where you always are, Mr. P! Let's try some stuff. Keep up!" She smirked. Her feet moved one slow step after the other. Bit by bit, Caution edged her from the bed across the room. A couple of minutes later, she touched the wall. She turned and returned toward the bed in a similar fashion.
Peter marveled at her progress. "You're doing great, Gwen. Do you need a break? We can stop and let you get your breath." He looked to her for more.
"I'm doing great on my feet, Peter. I'm feeling a little pressure. There's no pain." She walked the last steps. "Help me onto the bed please?"
"Sure thing!" Peter wanted to pick her up in his arms. Still, with Blake there, he wasn't going to give the doctor any additional reason to suspect him. He let her slide her right arm over his left shoulder. Together, they eased her back into the sitting position on the bed. "How's that?"
"No pain still. I just want to see who else we can meet!" Gwen smirked at Peter. "Now, if it's okay with the Doc, I want my reward! You'd better have the goods!"
"That's fine. You certainly earned them." Blake saw Liz walk into the room. "Nurse, thank you for calling my service. You just missed our latest miracle."
Liz shook her head. "I watched from the doorway. I didn't want to say anything to break Miss Stacy's concentration."
"That's smart on your part." Blake motioned toward the folder under Liz's arm. "May I see that? If it's Miss Stacy's file, I need to make some notes in it." He accepted it from her. After opening it, his pen scratched out observations and notes about Gwen's activities there. Then, he handed it back to her. "I will be back tomorrow to see how Miss Stacy's back responds to her walk across the room."
"Of course, Dr. Blake. If there's anything else in the meantime, we can call you." Liz accepted the folder back. "Thank you."
Blake nodded. "Maybe I can get a paper towel to use?"
"Coming up." Peter went into the bathroom. He returned with four paper towels from the dispenser. "I figured you might want some, Doc." He opened the box to reveal the mixed selection therein.
"I appreciate that, Mr. Parker. Thank you." Blake selected two jelly donuts and a honey dipped one. "Nurse Foster will appreciate it. Thanks for being understanding."
"She helped us yesterday too. A donut's the least we can do in honor of my magic feet's glide across the tile. Thanks for those magic fingers." Gwen nodded. Pleasant Smile expressed its gratitude for the job well done.
Blake wrapped the donuts. "I'll see the file to the nurse's station. Nurse, should I let Nurse Jones know you're on break?"
"She already knows but thank you, Doctor." She wrapped a plain cruller and a chocolate sprinkle donut. "I'll drop these off to her when I come back from my break."
"I'll let her know. Well then, until tomorrow." Blake turned and departed from the room. His thoughts still focused on Peter and his secret. Still, given his past help, he knew he'd keep it. Besides, even if Gwen is his fiancée, Peter did save a patient's life. That counted for a lot in his book. He stepped onto the elevator and headed down toward the ground floor.
Decision made…Trust established….