Chapter 7: The Constant Companion
"I thought I'd find you here."
Otto shut the book he was reading from and turned to look at his boss, standing in the doorway to the hospital room. Such a familiar sight, he was wondering if Norman was here to scold him again.
He'd gotten used to it over the last six weeks.
"I have eaten," he rubbed at the back of his neck, massaging out the twinge, "and I took a break twenty minutes ago."
"Relax. I'm actually here to give you some good news."
He stood up at that, looking at Norman hopefully.
"I was talking with the doctor and the traditional methods of waking her up haven't worked. So, there may be a new way."
"What is it?" Otto knew he shouldn't get his hopes up or get too excited, but he couldn't help it. It was almost poetic how he could describe the wild beating of his heart.
"Serum SF-186."
Otto thought quickly. That exact formula had been created for military purposes. For soldiers that had suffered the worst overseas.
"The military one?" When Norman nodded to confirm this, Otto still wasn't sure, "But I thought that wasn't tested yet?"
"It WAS tested. Three months ago. All successful. But…all recipients were male."
Whilst the glimmer of hope was still there, Otto's rational mind had to fight it. He felt too conflicted to put her life on the line.
"Is there a chance…is there a chance it'll make her worse?"
"You know as well as I do there's always that chance in science. But it's not up to us to make this decision for her," Norman looked toward her still figure and nodded, "I've called her parents in to discuss it."
"When will they get here?"
A small 'ping' to their left notified them that the elevator had just arrived on the floor. They turned to look at one another before the doors even opened.
"Right about now."
A short while later…
Otto wasn't sure what to do with himself. He sat awkwardly outside the room in the waiting area, trying to appear like he wasn't nervous or bored, but it was very difficult when he was sitting opposite Ada's father and the man was not what he expected him to be.
They'd all been quickly introduced and allowed in to see their daughter, but Ada's mother -Linda as she had introduced herself- had requested a moment alone with her.
Her father, Ezekiel, had left his wife and walked with Otto down to wait.
And wait they did, because at first, no man said anything. And the longer they waited, the more painful it became.
"So," finally, the man spoke, "you're Doctor Octavius…my daughter has spoken of you."
Otto tried not to look too worried and gave the man a polite smile and nod.
"I hope it's all good."
"Actually, she admires you and holds you in high regard…you're the one aspect of the job she can talk about," her father smiled sadly and looked down at his feet, "the first time she came home and talked about her new position, she was very excited. But she evidently couldn't talk too much about…whatever your research was. Just how much she admired you for your mind."
Otto was a little speechless. He thought Ada respected him but admired? He decided to be honest and for once, hang up his own pride.
"I've had a few assistants over the last couple of years, but Ada…she's the best. She has one of the brightest minds and challenges me as no one else has done. You should be very proud of her. Her work…I wouldn't have gotten along with it."
He couldn't believe that in the short time they'd spent together, how fond of her he'd grown. How she was competent, put up with his moods, and even remembered to feed him before he could do it himself.
He wished they had become friends sooner.
"Thank you," Ezekiel looked back at him and was sincere in his comment, "for taking care of my daughter. She'd had a tough time."
Another silence settled between the two men, though this one more amiable. They both focused their thoughts on the young woman who had made a great impact on their lives, though over different stretches of time.
Linda left the hospital room and Norman came back up in the elevator. Everyone sat down then, in the silence and solitude of the medical bay. Norman had probably felt it more comfortable than a stuffy office.
Otto supported him, talking about the benefits of the serum, and trying not to voice his own concerns about how it may be 'the last hope'. He didn't dare think about what would happen if it didn't work. If she didn't...
'Wake up.'
Her parents listened intently, though her mother seemed to spend most of the time trying to stop herself from crying, putting a tissue close to her mouth, and shutting her eyes tightly.
But they asked logical and rational questions and Norman did his best to answer. And after it all, when everything was said, her parents looked at one another, and then her mother spoke.
"Do it."
An hour later…
Bidding goodbye to her parents had been easy. Convincing Norman he was only going to stay for another hour had been difficult. But he had left Otto when Harry called him AND once the nurse assured him, she'd kick Otto out when it was time.
Otto went back into Ada's room and took his seat by her bed.
His seat.
His constant vigil was tiring him, but we would persist. He didn't pick up the book he had been reading but looked at Ada's sleeping figure. Her bruises had faded, and the swelling had gone down, but she still looked pale and there was a lingering white, silvery scar on her head. He hoped it would heal. He hoped that it would be something for them to talk about.
"Miss Daly…Ada," he reached out and placed his hand on top of hers, "I'm sorry. I should never have let you work late that day. I am aware that if you were awake, you'd be telling me how we cannot predict what might happen. You'd be right to even call me 'foolish'. But I can't help but think, had I just been a little lenient that one night, you would not have been put in harm's way."
He tried to imagine her clever retort but found he was struggling. Found it difficult to even remember the sound of her voice.
"I haven't had a friend for a long time. And when I offered you…you didn't hesitate," something inside of him turned and he felt himself growing emotional, "I would appreciate it if you would wake up."
Her face showed no change.
"Please," his thumb carefully smoothed over the skin on the back of her hand and felt hot tears threatening to spill, "I can't lose you. I've only just started to know you. I thought…after Rosie, I wouldn't find another mind like mine. I couldn't save her, but I will do everything in my power to save you. So please...fight."
"Doctor Octavius."
He quickly composed himself, willing himself not to cry because he turned around and looked at the nurse.
"It's time."
She was holding a small syringe and a vial in her hand, and he knew that Norman had given the okay to start the treatment that night.
He waited patiently as she carefully injected the needle into the drip of Ada's IV and waited.
"It won't work instantly, sir," the nurse told him, and he nodded his head.
"I know," a small part of him still hoped that he'd see something, "it'll take a few days."
"It's also time for you to head home and to bed."
He gave Ada's hand one last squeeze and joined the nurse as they left the room. They were so busy talking about when Ada's next dose would be, that they did not notice the little twitch of her index finger.