"Ok Orion show me what Dr. Tooth looks like" he said under the mask.
Sarah was amazed to see the mask adhere to his face and transform into an older Black man.
"Bryce is that still you?" She asked utterly astounded.
"Yeah it is still me" the man said with a deep bass voice similar to James Earl Jones.
Dr. Tooth could be a less attractive version of the famous actor. Sarah thought.
"OK so where are we going?" Bryce asked.
"Oh UCLA medical center…!" Sarah said.
"Oh No we'll not take the 405 at this time that will not do! I think we'll take the surface streets!" Bryce said as he eased the truck into traffic.
20 mins later they were striding into the hospital doors.
"Oh Dr. Plenty I see you brought another colleague?" The Nurse asked Sarah.
"Yes I did Nurse Jones meet Dr. Erwin Tooth. I think you have his credentials already faxed to you?" Sarah said.
"Oh yes here they are Please sign here Dr. Tooth on receiving this badge." She said.
Bryce signed and they both moved to the elevators.
"Oh Dr. Plenty…" They heard her voice ring out.
"Yes Nurse?" Sarah said as she swung around to face her.
"Your Patient is no longer in ICU. He is in general recovery on floor 10 Room 12." She said. "I thought your colleague had told you of the change."
"It might have slipped their mind. Thank you for your diligence Nurse." Sarah said as she pressed the 10th floor.
The door closed then they rode up in the elevator both were silent. The doors opened and they went to the nurse's station to check in then after the paperwork was done they proceeded to room 12.
As they approached the room a conversation was being held. Sarah stopped to listen. It was definitely Ellie's voice but the dulcet tone of Chuck was unmistakable. Sarah was excited Chuck was awake.
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Sarah knocked on the door and waited for the conversation to lull. Ellie stepped up to the door and opened it. Sarah she recognized but the Black doctor she did not. Ellie welcomed Sarah with a hug but slowly placed her hand out.
"Hi I'm Dr. Woodcomb I was not notified another doctor was coming and you are?" Ellie said suspiciously then over her head Chuck spoke.
"Ellie…Why are you leaving Bryce out in the hall?" Chuck asked.
Sarah had only taken two foot into the room then she rushed him. She hushed Chuck with a kiss.
"Bryce? Chuck… Bryce is not here. Are you seeing things? Brother? Is this something to do with your rapid healing?" Ellie turned to look at Chuck.
"I'm so sorry Dr. Tooth my Brother might be hallucinating." Ellie said reading his name from the hospital ID. "Please come in and diagnose him yourself."
"Thank you Dr. Woodcomb I would be please to do a consult." Bryce said finally entering the room then closed the door.
Once Sarah removed her lips from his Chuck spoke again this time in much lowered tones.
"I know it is you Bryce old buddy but what I do not understand is why Ellie is calling you Dr. Tooth." Chuck said.
Bryce continued the exam while a nervous Ellie looked on.
"Well Dr. Is it bad?" Ellie asked.
"No actually he seems to be fine." Dr. Tooth announced.
"I don't understand…" Ellie said looking at Sarah for help.
"Chuck is correct. I'm Bryce but in disguise. How he was able to penetrate this disguise given to me by Orion is some what of a mystery though." Bryce said.
"You are Bryce? Prove it!" Ellie said
Sarah had been silent and caressing Chuck's chest watching to see if she needed to intervene.
Bryce sighed then reached up and tugged at the side of his neck the Mask inflated and a Silver bag now appeared obscuring someone's head. Bryce pulled it off to show his true face.
"You see Ellie I'm Bryce." He said.
"Wha…How is that possible?" Ellie asked.
"Well I would not have the foggiest but your Dad created it and gave it to me." Bryce said.
"Ellie it is quite simple. It is a matrix like a squid's skin filled with phosphorescence cells. But this is carbon nano tubes filled with pigment which is opened to the skin when an electrical current is applied. It reflects the light and viola you have the perfect disguise." Chuck said.
"Chuck did you flash?" Sarah asked.
"Well I had no physical sensation of a flash. The knowledge just came to me." He admitted.
"So Chuck how are you feeling just having major surgery a few days ago?" Bryce asked.
"Well Bryce my brain seems to be ok but my lower limbs seem not to be able to respond. I was told it was the affects of the anesthetics I was given in surgery. However, I would have thought it would have worn off by now." Chuck said.
"Chuck you never mention not being able to move your legs before?" Ellie said being very concerned.
"Well we were a bit over come with emotion that I did make it through the surgery with my mind still sharp. I guess we never looked any further. I could move my hands and sit up so I never thought about it." Chuck said.
"This is something you might have thought to mention before now Chuck. I'm going to have to ask everyone to leave. I need to do more tests." Ellie said.
"Ellie there is something we need to discuss before we can leave…It pertains to your Mother." Sarah said.
"Oh yeah Ellie before I passed out I figured out where Mom had gone." Chuck blurted out.
"My…Our Mother is alive? What are you trying to pull?" Ellie said being very cross.
"Ellie this is not the right place or time to discuss this" Bryce said.
"Ellie Bryce is right…It is not time…you have been up too long. Go home and snuggle against Awesome. You are exhausted. Once you are refreshed then you can order the tests. Chuck is not going anywhere. Let Bryce take you home." Sarah said. "I'll take my shift as scheduled. We can talk about this later once cooler heads have appeared."
Ellie looked at the assembled people then agreed. Bryce placed the mask on and spoke to Orion which activated the mask. Bryce once again looked and sounded like the man Ellie met previously.
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Bryce escorted Ellie out of the hospital. Ellie could not believe the man next to her was Bryce Larkin. The drive back to Echo Park was quick and before they arrived Orion switched Bryce's mask to a closer approximation of Bryce's own face. It would look like he was a distant cousin. Bryce exited the vehicle then escorted Ellie to the door. He was not sure what awaited them on the other side of the door. Bryce took a breath then turned the knob. Only Captain Awesome was in sight as Ellie rushed into his arms as he stood.
Bryce was about to turn away then a voice said.
"And where do you think you are going Mister?" in Ellie's distinctive voice.
"I…I …was…" Bryce stammered.
"You think I did not see your limp? You are injured and need to rest. Take Chuck's room and lie down Dr. Orders." Ellie said.
"Wait you can not order me!" Bryce said.
"Yes I can and I did. I outrank you, Agent Larkin. You are still just an agent while I am I'm the CMO of this substation. You are now attached once you entered this room. Therefore you have to do as I say!" Ellie said threatening. "Or I can have you placed in a cell at Castle. Casey would like that to happen. I think here would be more pleasant."
Bryce shrugged and spoke to Orion.
"You knew this was going to happen that is why you did not impede my leaving?" Bryce said.
Orion was suddenly quiet in his ear.
"Coward" Bryce said as he followed Ellie's instructions.