Chapter 31: With Second Chances

The next day, 2:45 a.m.

Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York City

The feeling of a hand on Flint's shoulder jolted him out of his uneasy sleep. It was a sleep born of necessity, not desire. Although he fought against the closing of his eyes, in the end, his body's need to shut itself down won out over his struggle to remain conscious. Flint fought even in his sleep. Cognizant of his surroundings, his mind perched on the perimeter of darkness and light. There were no dreams, only shadows and voices ebbing in and out until all that remained were the mechanical beeps and blips that composed the hospital's witching hour.

After Mainframe had talked him down, some decisions needed to be made, fast. Even though Flint knew Jaye did everything possible to hide her financial status, he was going to play that card anyway. Let her ignore him for a day or two. In fact, he'd like nothing more than to be ignored. So rather than risk losing her to a bureaucrat hell bent on the bottom line, or worse, to the whims of some CDC specialist more interested in observing, instead of eradicating, the viral mutation playing out in her system, Flint called in Jaye's Uncle Robert. Uncle Robert was the type of man who got things done. One private medivac helicopter later and Jaye was on her way back to the Big Apple. Flint wanted to put as much distance between her and Washington as possible. After touching base with J.T. and listening to the Texan recount his brawl with the officials at GW Hospital, Flint knew he made the right choice. The doctors at Mt. Sinai did their best to stabilize her, but without knowing what they were facing, it was just one long game of darts with the world's smallest bull's-eye as a target.

The doctors pumped her up with some antivirals and a few painkillers. Flint couldn't recall when her last tetanus shot was, and one was thrown in for good measure after an attending winced while pulling rusty flakes out of her cheek. A kindly nurse set her up with an IV and a few soft blankets borrowed from the NICU. When that didn't work, out came the respirator and all the other scary-looking equipment. Flint looked out the window when it was being set up. He couldn't watch. The doctors soon drifted out and all that was left was the wait. Flint knew he would never get used to the waiting. He paced around the room until the kindly nurse informed him that he was driving her mad and no doubt was having the same effect on the patient. Flint resigned himself to the edge of the chair, his body restless with worry. The kindly nurse offered him a little something on the house to calm his nerves, but he couldn't do it. He wouldn't do it. If something happened, good or bad, he would be the first to know. His heavy eyelids were the second betrayal that day.

Flint hadn't realized he was out until his mind registered the strong grip on his shoulder. He came to with a start and snapped to the edge of the chair, ready to rise.

"Shhhhhh." The visitor pushed Flint back down.

"What? Tomax?" Or was it Xamot? Flint always mixed up the twins. The fog brought on by sleep did little to aid his recollection. Being this close to a twin brought on Flint's fight or flight urges. Given what he was guarding, Flint was more inclined to fight. He instinctively reached for the gun that wasn't there.

Tomax placed a finger upon his lips.

"What's going on?" Flint's voice thundered through the night.

"Does no one listen? No wonder we're all doomed. Now kindly shut up before you have the whole hospital in here." Tomax sighed through clenched teeth, reaching into his trench coat pocket and pulling out a syringe. With practiced skill, he held the syringe up and tapped it on the side with forefinger and thumb. Grabbing the dangling IV line, he inserted the needle into the port and, glancing at his watch, began a slow push.

"Hey!" With a growl Flint jumped out of the chair, lunging at the other man. Tomax was well prepared for this scenario and kicked out his leg, making solid contact with Flint's sternum. In his condition, Flint was no match. With the air knocked out of him, Flint stumbled and fell back into the chair, his legs rising up and hindering his ability to surge back. Tomax kept his leg up and pressed a polished loafer against Flint's throat, effectively pinning Flint to the back of the chair.

Tomax's words cut to the chase. "I'm saving her."

Flint didn't have the fight left in him anymore. He held up his hands in surrender and Tomax lowered his leg. It seemed crazy, but crazy was all Flint had left. The doctors hadn't been able to do anything and the CDC was taking its own sweet time. Up to the point where he blacked out, Flint had been plotting a one-man assault on the CDC where some serious persuasion was in order. He'd only gotten to the part where he kicked down the door, Baby Jay warm in his hands. Baby Jay just might be the inspiration needed to solve the riddle of reverse engineering the cure Lady Jaye snagged from Cobra. Absent a Seal-type raid, which Flint was certain Hawk would not look upon favorably, Flint was out of ideas. He'd do anything at this point, why not this? Something had transpired between Jaye and Tomax when she snuck into Extensive Enterprises. A connection was made. If that connection could save Jaye, Flint would do his best to ignore the green beast.

Tomax finished his task, discarding the spent syringe into the medical waste container by Jaye's bed. Taking a step back, Tomax stood next to Flint's chair. Neither man said a word, both focused on Jaye. Flint had a passing thought that he'd almost like to hold Tomax's hand if only to be a part of the connection Tomax shared with Jaye. Flint knew he shouldn't be jealous. It was a useless emotion that only served to get him in trouble. It was his nature though; he simply couldn't help it. Flint thought that he'd rather like to punch Tomax for being that close to Jaye. Flint flexed the fingers on his right hand, drawing them in close, when she sighed. Flint held his breath, wondering if he imagined it. She did it again, made that noise. Her features, which had been crunched up in a mask of pain, relaxed. Jaye seemed to settle into the pillow, a trace of a smile toying at her lips. She was sleeping now.

Flint looked up at Tomax, all thoughts of hitting him gone. He'd rather like to hug him now. Tomax remained serious, his face devoid of any emotion. Tomax reached into the inner pocket of his bespoke suit jacket and pulled out a small black pouch. He handed it over to Flint. "There are three more doses. Give one every two hours just how I did it. You should only need two more, but this is slightly different than what Michelle, I mean Ms. Parke, had." Flint detected a trace hint of sadness tinged with regret cross Tomax's face. Tomax shook it off. "I don't have to tell you to not let it out of your sight."

Flint nodded, placing the pouch in the cargo pocket of his right pants' leg. No one would touch it but him. "How can I . . ."

Tomax shook his head once. "Stop." The twin pressed his lips together, bobbing his head once. Tomax reached back into his pocket and pulled out a small cream-colored envelope. He gripped it in his hand, invisible thoughts swirling around in his head while he bounced his hand up and down. With a long exhale, his decision was made and he held it out in the air before Flint. "There was something of which you inquired. If you're still interested, I am making it available to you. I trust that you will make the right decision."

Puzzled, Flint reached up and grabbed the envelope from Tomax, tugging at it ever so slightly before the twin released his hold. Flint examined the paper and was impressed. Flint estimated it to be a 32 lb. bond, 100% percent cotton, linen finish. What was that saying, you could take the boy out of publishing? Flint knew he was holding in his hand a very expensive piece of paper. He could only wonder at the contents inside. Sensing no resistance, he slid a finger across, ripping the gummed seal. Flint pulled out a note card and his breath caught in his throat. "Why?"

Tomax already had crossed the room to exit, and paused a moment in the doorway. Tomax's gaze had been on the floor but he raised his head, looking straight into the hallway. Flint couldn't see Tomax close his eyes. "You know what it's like when you're alone with her, when it's just the two of you. When you can retreat from the world and just be?"

Flint glanced at Jaye's resting form. That lopsided grin peeked its way out. He leaned forward, reaching for her hand. "Yes."

Tomax opened his eyes, "I've never known that," and walked out the door.

A/N: This time I'm really in the homestretch. Thanks for the reviews- I fear you've made me want to write more when better editing would demand less! Hopefully will be able to finish this week. With the government shutdown, I get some unexpected free time next few days and trying to make the most of it.