Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Other Doctor

The story that Jack shared with River and David sounded like something straight out of a horror story, which was understandable considering Whale's real identity. According to Harkness, Dr. Whale was in actuality Dr. Frankenstein – a character that Jack had the unfortunate pleasure in crossing paths with once or twice during his prolonged time in the fairy tale world. Frankenstein discovered Jack's immortality after Jack was impaled from the sword of a vengeful knight. Believing him to be dead, Frankenstein attempted to bring him back to life but found out, after removing the sword, that Jack was capable of that feat all by himself. Frankenstein was so fascinated by Jack's immortality that he offered him a place in his experiments through blood donations, surmising that the blood of an immortal can bring the dead back to life. But what started out as blood donations later turned into something Harkness could never agree to – organ-harvesting. Even though Jack could easily grow back a new organ, the thought of repeated surgical procedures to harvest his organs was…

"Enough," said River, who managed to be sickened enough from Jack's story to make her immediate request for it to end.

Of course, the story had to end at that point with the sudden arrival of Ruby and a more sober Dr. Whale, who went right back to work on Greg Mendell's surgery. Soon after Whale was back in the O.R., Jack went to Ruby and asked, "Where was he?"

"On the edge of ending his life," she answered, and Jack quickly realized from the context of her answer that she spoke in literal terms. "But he's okay now after our talk. Did you know that he's…?"

"Dr. Frankenstein?" Jack uttered with a grin. "Yeah." His grin grew wider as he came upon a realization: "Dr. Frankenstein and the werewolf. You two would make a cute couple, you know."

Ruby scolded him with a doubtful look, although Harkness could see through it enough to interpret some actual interest from the young woman. This surprised Jack, counting the relationship Ruby had with the Doctor (or "John Smith," to be exact). It seemed to Harkness that she had completely moved on in the absence of her lover. Jack wasn't sure if that should be a good or bad thing; but he figured – had River saw the way Ruby was taking interest in the other doctor – it might as well had been a good thing for Professor Song.

Hours later, Whale returned to the waiting room and alerted the group of the good news: Greg Mendell's surgery was a success and the man was going to live. In acceptance of this news, Jack and David requested to talk to Mendell. Whale gave his permission and the two men immediately went to Mendell's room with Jack carrying Mendell's personal effects there with him. When they arrived at the room, they found Mendell in his bed – conscious but still recovering from injuries and surgery.

"Mr. Mendell?" David was the first to address the man. "I'm…Sheriff Nolan. This is Deputy Harkness."

Mendell squirmed in his bed a little, appearing to be slightly nervous. "I'm thirsty," he said in a hoarse voice, prompting Jack to grab a glass of water with a straw near his bed and allow the man to have a sip of it. Jack set Mendell's personal effects beside his bed. After his sip of water, Mendell asked them, "You guys are here about the accident?"

"We are, actually." Jack confirmed.

"I-I didn't hit anybody, did I?" Mendell asked.

"Yeah," Jack hastily answered, "but he had it coming."

"What?" Mendell exclaimed in a state of shock.

David loudly cleared his throat, reminding Harkness of his place in the interrogation. "What my deputy is trying to say is that the damage was pretty minor."

Mendell exhaled in relief. "Oh, thank God."

"We do, however, need you to tell us what happened in your own words." Jack said. "What you did, what you saw."

"Well, I…I didn't see anything." Mendell hesitantly remarked.

"Mr. Mendell, you're not in any serious trouble now." Jack assured in a somewhat stern voice. "But, if you choose not to cooperate with us, then we'll have no choice but to…"

"I was texting." Mendell hurriedly said. "I looked down, just for a second. And when I looked back up, he was…he was right there. And he was too close to avoid, but I…I know it's not legal in Maine." Jack and David exchanged a curious glance upon hearing Mendell's confession. Noting their looks, he anxiously asked, "A-Am I still in trouble?"

"No," acknowledged David, who tried his best to shelter his excitement. "No one's in any trouble, Mr. Mendell."

"So…no charges?" The man cautiously questioned.

"No charges." Jack said. "Just don't text and drive next time, alright?"

Mendell nodded. "Yes, sir. When can I go home?"

"As soon as the doctor clears you." David said. "Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Mendell."

"So he didn't see nothin'?" Leroy excitedly asked David and Jack, who returned to the former dwarf, Ruby, Whale, and River in the waiting room.

"Yep." Jack replied. "His only real crime here is texting while driving."

They were all relieved from the update, David most especially. "Now maybe things can calm down for the next ten minutes and we can catch our breath."

"You all can," Harkness said, "but I have a trip to New York that calls for my immediate attention."

"Calls for mine as well, Captain Harkness." A voice outside the group spoke up and they turned to see Gold standing by. "There's someone I'm looking for in New York also, so I'm coming with you on your trip."

Jack and the others were taken aback from Gold's sudden announcement. "Who the hell is in New York that you're looking for, Gold?"

"My son. And I'm going with you today because every minute I'm here is a minute closer to me killing Hook. So it's really best for all concerned if I leave." He then addressed the others in the group and added in an austere tone, "Oh, and, um, we have a long history, so know this and know it to be true – if any harm comes to Belle while I'm gone, I'm killing all of you."