Chapter 17
Jeff had never been so scared apart from the day he lost Lucy. For the past few hours he had been pacing around outside the ICU room, where security stood. He wasn't going to let anyone near his sons. Jeff's heart pounded in his chest as he anxiously glanced through the small window of the ICU room. The sterile white walls felt suffocating, reminding him of the day he lost Lucy - a memory that still haunted his every thought. Determined to protect his precious sons, Jeff's eyes met with the stern gaze of security standing guard outside the room. The weight of responsibility rested heavily on his shoulders, fueling a fierce determination in his spirit. No one was going to lay a finger on his boys, not on his watch.
Mike left the side room and turned towards Jeff, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. Jeff recognized that look all too well. It meant that Mike had something exciting or intriguing to share. A rush of anticipation surged through Jeff as he couldn't help but wonder what news Mike was about to deliver. Curiosity piqued, Jeff took a step back, trying to avoid being lured into another one of Mike's adventures. He shook his head slightly, silently expressing his reluctance to accompany him. But Mike wasn't one to give up easily. With an exasperated expression, Mike rolled his eyes playfully at Jeff's resistance. He understood Jeff's hesitation but was determined to convince him otherwise. Mike gestured for Jeff to join him on a stroll, promising that everything would be protected and safe. Reluctantly, Jeff glanced over at the security personnel stationed nearby. Their reassuring nods helped ease his worries, confirming Mike's words. Taking a deep breath and trusting his instincts, Jeff finally met Mike's gaze and reluctantly agreed to walk with him. After all, there was always a touch of excitement and adventure when it came to Mike's good news.
"What's happening?" Jeff asked, intrigued by the sudden excitement in the air.
"TinTin has woken up!" Mike exclaimed, his face beaming with a wide smile. The news brought a sense of relief and hope into the room. "If that madman does turn up," Mike continued, "then TinTin should be able to help." He spoke with confidence, knowing that TinTin possessed the skills and powers necessary to tackle any challenge that came their way.
"How is she?" Jeff inquired.
"She's fine Jeff, it's like nothing happened. Now…" Mike started but had to take a deep breath, Jeff knew this wasn;t going to be good. "I'm worried about John. I can't seem to get him off the ventilator. He's not responding to any treatment." Jeff sat down in the nearest chair and ran his fingers through his hair, processing Mike's words. The sombre atmosphere weighed heavily in the room as they pondered the uncertain fate of John. It was a stark contrast to the relief they had felt moments ago when discussing TinTin's well-being. Jeff's mind raced with concern. He knew how critical ventilator dependency could be, and the fact that John wasn't responding to any treatment only compounded the gravity of the situation. He looked up at Mike, his eyes reflecting empathy and worry.
"I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you, Jeff," Mike said softly, trying to offer some semblance of support.
"You've done everything you could for him, right? Is there anything else you can try?" Mike sighed and shook his head, his exhaustion evident.
"We've exhausted all options available to us, Jeff," he replied despondently. "We are doing our best, but it feels like we're running out of time." A heavy silence enveloped the room as both men wrestled with the harsh reality before them. Friends for years, they had been through ups and downs, but nothing compared to this. But amidst the despair, they knew they couldn't lose hope.
"Let's stay positive, Mike," Jeff finally spoke, determination swelling in his voice. "John is strong, and he has fought battles before. We need to rally around him and keep believing that he can pull through." As if fueled by Jeff's words, a glimmer of hope flickered in Mike's tired eyes. They may not have all the answers, but they had resilience and friendship on their side. With renewed determination, they braced themselves for the fight ahead, bound together in unwavering support to protect John and keep him alive. As Mike and Jeff chatted over a cup of coffee, Scott's sudden appearance sent shockwaves through the peaceful seating area. His frantic entrance with flushed cheeks and breathless gasps immediately jolted the atmosphere.
"Dad, you need to come quick..." Scott urgently pleaded, his words barely audible among the chaos. Dread crept into Jeff's heart as he quickly grasped the severity of the situation. He tried to make sense of Scott's urgency.
"Scott, what's happening? Why didn't you call me? Why didn't you page Mike?" Jeff's voice held a mix of concern and confusion, his eyes scanning Scott's face for answers. Moments later, Mike's worried expression mirrored Jeff's as he processed Scott's distressing words. Without wasting another second, both men sprang into action, their determination unwavering as they hurriedly followed Scott. The buzz of conversation and clinking of cups was replaced by a deafening silence as they made their way to the ICU room. Entering the room, the sight that greeted them was gripping. It was nothing short of chaos. John, lying in his bed, fought against the ventilator, his wide eyes reflecting sheer terror. The sound of his laboured breathing filled the air, blending with the beeping of monitoring machines. But amidst the turmoil, there was an unexpected glimmer of hope that began to flicker deep within Mike's soul. As he took in the harrowing scene before him, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. For in that moment, he knew, beyond a shadow of doubt, that John was back with them, battling fiercely against his adversities. Mike rushed over to John and switched off the ventilator, happiness filling his heart.
"Hey buddy, it's great to see those bright blue eyes again. Stay calm and I'll remove the tube. I just need you to take some deep breaths in and out and don't panic." John nodded slowly and Mike started to remove the tube. Once the tube was clear, John coughed and took in some deep breaths. Jeff's heart swelled with a mixture of relief and concern as he held tightly onto John's hand. Tears welled up in his eyes, reflecting the emotional rollercoaster he had just experienced. Just moments ago, he had feared the worst, uncertain if he would ever see his space-loving son again. And now, here John was, back with them. However, amidst this joyous reunion, a sense of unease lingered within Jeff. Why had John suddenly returned? Where was the Hood? These questions echoed in his mind, casting a shadow over the reunion.
"Dad?" John's voice rasped weakly, pulling Jeff's attention back to his son. Despite the weariness in his voice, the spark of recognition in John's eyes brought a bittersweet smile to Jeff's face. He turned to face Scott, who stood at the doorway, watching the scene unfold.
"Hey, John. It's so good to see you again, son. Welcome back," Jeff greeted him, his voice filled with a mix of relief and cautious optimism. There was so much he wanted to say, so many questions he wanted to ask, but for now, seeing his son safe and sound was enough. John's next question caught Jeff off guard, causing his eyebrows to furrow in surprise.
"How long have I been here?" John asked, his voice filled with confusion. It was a stark contrast to their previous conversation when John had no recollection of his surroundings. Jeff's mind raced, struggling to comprehend what John meant by his question. As Jeff pondered with the disturbing thoughts, he kept a reassuring smile on his face, not wanting to burden John with his own fears. Jeff looked at Mike and Scott and silently asked for them to give him space with John, he just wanted some quality time with him. Mike silently nodded and left the ICU room with Scott. Jeff felt safe, he could see the security guard at the door. He knew the Hood wouldn't be able to find him.
"You go to sleep now John, I'll be here when you wake." John nodded and fell asleep almost instantly. As Jeff settled into the chair next to John's bed, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of relief. The dimly lit room provided a peaceful atmosphere, allowing Jeff to focus solely on John and Virgils well-being. Even with the sounds of the medical equipment humming softly in the background, Jeff found solace in knowing that his son's were safe, surrounded by the watchful eyes of the security guard stationed outside the door. Leaning back in the chair, Jeff gently clasped John's hand, intertwining their fingers as he sought comfort in their connection. The weight of the past few days pressed heavily on his mind, but in this quiet moment, the worry and stress began to dissipate, giving way to a soothing peace. Seeing John finally succumb to sleep brought a serene smile to Jeff's lips. He watched as the rise and fall of John's chest matched the rhythm of his steady breathing. It was in these small moments, amidst the beeping monitors and the sterile hospital smell, that Jeff found a glimmer of hope. Closing his eyes, Jeff allowed himself to surrender to exhaustion. The deep breaths of both Virgil and John, mingling together harmoniously, acted as a lullaby that eased the tension from his weary body.
Suddenly a loud thump awoke Jeff, he opened his eyes to see the security guard had disappeared. As Jeff was about to press the alarm on his communicator, a voice made itself known.
"Hello Jeff Tracy"