A Very Odd Couple 14
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Dave was attacked on his way home from work.
Recovering in the hospital, he started suffering from nightmares.
Luka told Dave that he too had suffered from nightmares after an
incident in Croatia, and tried to help Dave realize that he was
not to blame for the assault. After a final check-up from
Elizabeth, Dave was cleared to leave the hospital.
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Dave sat on the edge of the bed staring at his unlaced sneakers.
He had managed, with some difficulty, to change into a clean pair
of scrubs, but had been unable to summon up the energy to tie his
laces. He knew that the nurses would have helped him, but he had
wanted to do it himself.
"Dave?" came a voice from the doorway.
Dave looked up and smiled to see Kerry standing there. "Hey
Chief," he said quietly. "How's it going?"
"I just came up to say hi, before you went home," said
Kerry, as she limped into the room.
"Come in, sit down, there's plenty of room," said Dave,
patting the mattress beside him.
Kerry sat down and took a long look at Dave. Although still very
pale and drawn, he wasn't looking quite as tense as he had been
the last time she had seen him. She hoped that his visits to Nina
were helping. "So, you're getting out of here today,"
said Kerry.
"Yeah, guess so," said Dave, unenthusiastically.
"What's the matter?" asked Kerry. "I thought you'd
be delighted to get home."
"I am...it's just...the detective on my case, you know the
one who took my statement after...after the attack, he came to
see me today. He said that they found the second guy. The one
who'd used the baseball bat on me."
"That's great news, Dave," said Kerry. "I suppose
you'll have to go down to the station to make a positive ID, but
I'm sure you're fit enough for that."
Dave shook his head. "I won't have to ID him," he said
tiredly. "They found him facedown in an alley after an
overdose. He's dead."
"Oh," said Kerry, slightly taken aback. "They're
sure it was him?"
Dave nodded. "I'd picked out his 'mug-shot', plus they had
fingerprints from the bat. It was him all right."
Kerry bit her lip, wondering what to say. "Well, at least
you know he's not still out there," she said softly.
"Yeah, I guess," said Dave. "The detective told me
that my 'case' is now officially closed, at least as far as
they're concerned. I just wish it wasn't like this." He
looked at Kerry. "I wanted them to arrest him. I wanted to
see him punished for what he did to me, but I didn't want him to
die."
"I know that," said Kerry, patting his hand
reassuringly. "We all wanted him caught and punished."
"Then why do I feel like it's not over? I mean I know
they're not out there anymore, but why do I feel sca...weird at
the thought of leaving here?"
"It's going to take time," said Kerry, slowly. "You've
been through a traumatic experience, and you see the hospital as
a place of safety. It's natural to feel," Kerry tried to
think of a suitable word. She knew that Dave didn't want to admit
his fear to her, and she wasn't going to pressure him. "It's
natural to feel wary of a change in surroundings. I wish there
was something I could say or do to help, but all I can tell you
is that it will get better."
"I dunno," said Dave, almost to himself. "I dunno
if I can handle it."
"You can," said Kerry, firmly, squeezing his hand.
"Here, give me your arm, I want to write something on your
cast."
"But you already signed it," said Dave, a little
puzzled, indicating the words, 'get well soon, Dr Dave' and
Kerry's signature.
Kerry took out a pen and wrote in a blank space, 'I believe in
you'.
"There," she said, replacing the lid of her pen. "I
know that you're strong enough to get through this Dave. Maybe
you don't believe it yourself, but I do. Remember that the next
time you feel 'weird' or if things start getting you down. I have
faith in you."
Dave looked at Kerry. "Thank you," he said softly.
"You will get through this," said Kerry, "And
remember, you have a lot of friends who want to help you."
Dave looked as if he was about to say something, when he was
interrupted by Luka's arrival.
"Looks like your chauffer is here, Dave," said Kerry
with a smile. Inwardly she wished that Luka hadn't been so
punctual. She had the feeling that Dave had been about to say
something important. Hopefully he'd be able to talk to Luka, she
thought to herself. Out loud she said, "I hope you're going
to take it easy once you get home. No wild parties or staying up
till all hours." She waved her finger threateningly at him
as she stood up to leave.
"No Chief," said Dave, grinning. "I'm just gonna
sit on the couch and watch videos all day. I asked Luka to get me
a few from the store."
"I have them all ready for you at home," said Luka.
"Just remind me again, does XXX on the label mean it is a
good video or a bad one?"
"Luka," said Dave, blushing.
"Hmm," said Kerry, "Well, just remember not to
tire yourself out <too> much." She ruffled Dave's hair
affectionately. "You take care of yourself, you hear?"
"I will make sure he rests," promised Luka, as he
helped Dave into the chair.
"I'll call round in a few days. See how you're feeling,"
said Kerry.
Luka retrieved Dave's belongings and they set off for the
elevator. Kerry watched them go. She knew that she had done all
she could for Dave. The rest was up to him.
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Dave looked up as the elevator doors opened on the ER. "Wait
a minute," he said, as Luka was about to push the chair.
"What are we doing here?"
"It is on the way to the car park," said Luka. "I
thought it might be nice for you to see your friends before you
leave."
"I dunno," said Dave, hesitantly. "I don't think I
want them to see me like this." He indicated the wheelchair.
"Most of them have already seen you in your hospital bed.
How is this any worse?"
"It...it's just, I don't want them to see me <here> in
a wheelchair," said Dave, trying to explain. "I don't
want to be seen as a patient. Not here, not in the ER. Can't we
go another route, or no; let me walk from here."
Luka shook his head, "You really should stay in the chair,
you need to conserve your energy."
"Please Luka," said Dave, looking up at him. "I'll
be resting once I get home."
"Okay," said Luka, with a sigh. "But if Dr Corday
sees you, do not blame me if she tries to readmit you."
"She'll have to catch me first," said Dave, with a half-smile,
as he pushed himself up out of the chair. Slowly he walked out
into the ER. Luka followed him, pushing the chair in case Dave
showed signs of tiring.
Haleh was the first to notice Dave standing there. "Dr Dave,"
she said, giving him a warm smile. "We heard you were
getting out of here. How're you feeling? They been feeding you
all right? You look all skin and bone. Dr Kovac, I hope you're
going to feed this boy up properly. He looks as if he could use a
good meal."
"He will be well fed once he gets home," promised Luka.
"Hmm, I hope so. You take it easy now, you hear, Dr Dave,"
said Haleh. "We've missed you." Giving Dave a quick
hug, she headed back to work.
Dave was greeted warmly by the rest of the ER staff as well.
Everyone wanted to say hello to him and wish him well. Luka could
see the pallor growing in Dave's face. "Come on Dave,"
he said quickly. "It is time we were going."
"Yeah," said Dave, tiredly. "See you guys soon,"
he said to Randi and Chuny.
As soon as they were outside the ER, Dave sank gratefully into
the wheelchair. "Thanks Luka," he said. "Wasn't
sure how I was going to get away."
"If I had realized how long this was going to take,"
said Luka, "I would have insisted that you remain in the
wheelchair. I am sorry, I did not wish to tire you out."
"No, it's my fault," said Dave. "I shouldn't have
been so stubborn."
"If you were not stubborn, you would not be Dave," said
Luka simply. "Come, let us go home."
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To be continued