Chapter 17

Since he was alone in the surgery waiting room when a very weary doctor walked in, AJ figured he had to have news about Webb. Checking his watch, he saw that it had been over four hours since Clay had been brought in.

"Signor? You are here about Signor Webb?"

"Si," AJ told him and introduced himself.

"Your friend made it through surgery, but there was a lot of damage. The bullet entered his chest and hit a rib, it shattered into several pieces. We were able to remove all but one of the fragments. Our first concern was the one that nicked his heart and then came to rest right next to the artery supplying blood to his heart. It took some time, but we got that one. The one in his lung caused it to collapse; we handled that second. The problem that we weren't able to get to wasn't discovered right away because of all the internal damage. It was perilously close to his spinal column and the swelling made it impossible to remove at this time. It was simply too dangerous to continue. He is still touch and go, however he is young and strong, so we are hopeful. If he stabilizes we will go back in once the swelling has gone down, and we can get a better idea of what we are up against."

"I see. Is there a chance of paralysis, doctor? If so, to what extent?"

"It is possible, the fragment is lodged between two vertebra, but because of the swelling we can't tell if the spinal cord is damaged or not. However, we will deal with that in time. He has a lot to overcome before we face that."

"But if the cord is damaged?" AJ insisted on knowing.

"From the location of the fragment it is very likely he could end up on a ventilator."

Trying to keep the curse he felt like uttering from coming out, AJ said, "I can tell you that if that is the case, Mr. Webb would rather be dead!"

"Well, there's no need to cross that bridge until we come to it, Signor Chegwidden. The nurse told me that his mother was contacted and she has faxed authorization for his treatment until she arrives. I also wanted to thank you for your blood donation. It was definitely a contributing factor to us in getting the fragment near his heart. Without what you gave we wouldn't have been able to keep him open as long."

"You're very welcome, doctor. Will We…Signor Webb wake up before you know if he will be paralyzed or not?"

"No. Because of where the fragment is and the level of damage, any movement could provoke more damage so we are keeping him in an induced coma and restrained traction."

"I see. Alright, doctor, thank you again for all your efforts on Clay's behalf."

"It's my job Signor Chegwidden," he was told and then the doctor excused himself after saying the nurse would let AJ know when his friend was out of recovery if he wanted to see him.

He inquired at the nurses' station how long that would be and then informed her he would return to his daughter's apartment for a shower, change of bloody clothes, and a meal before he returned. He left all of his contact information with her in case something came up before the two hours had passed.

AJ returned to the hospital to be told that Clay was now in ICU. Walking into the open ward he was amazed to see Clay's mother at his bedside. She had made incredible time in getting there, he thought, before remembering the family owned their own plane.

"Hello, Mrs. Webb," he said approaching Clay's bed.

"Admiral Chegwidden," she nodded her greeting as she rose and held out her hand. "I was told it was you that saved my son's life."

"That was his doctor, Ma'am. I just made sure he got to the hospital alive."

"A great accomplishment in itself, I am sure. I am grateful."

"I simply did what needed to be done."

"Nonetheless I appreciate what you did do. I know my son was here on a miss…assignment, but why are you in Italy, Admiral?"

"I'm on vacation visiting my daughter."

"And helping my son."

"He needed some back up he could trust, Ma'am."

"So he chose the man who broke his nose in Russia?" she asked mildly.

To be continued…