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Date Posted: 19:32:40 01/16/08 Wed
Author: Mary
Author Host/IP: adsl-70-239-143-34.dsl.yntwoh.sbcglobal.net / 70.239.143.34
Subject: Characters & Shadows - Chapter 32
In reply to: Mary 's message, "Characters & Shadows - Cont." on 20:44:05 01/09/08 Wed

Chapter 32

“I think we may have a solid location on Nikita.” Marco reported.

“You think? You think? Either you do or you don’t. Which one is it?” David’s snide question came with all the menace behind it that was intended.

With every breath in his body he hated to say this, “We have her location confirmed at this time.”

“When can you extract her?”

This was the part David was going to hate, “We can’t at this time.”

The two men in the room froze, time slipped by in seconds as Marco waited, “Why not?” His response clipped and lethal.

“Seems she’s sick and in the hospital. We can’t extract right now.”

“Sick? With what?” he asked about the inconvenience.

“My source says it could be meningitis.”

“Well how the hell did the slut get that?”

Marco knew better than to answer and just waited for whatever was to come next from David. “So get her and grab a doctor and we’ll take care of it here.”

Marco sighed and braced himself, “We can’t do that sir. The risk of exposing your organization is too great at this time. No matter how I run the scenario I can’t protect you.”

David’s anger began to surface, “Then run it again and again and again until you find a way to get her to me. Is that clear?”

“I’ve already done that. We need to wait and confirm the diagnosis. Then determine our next steps.” Marco then added what he knew would put David over the top. It was a dangerous move but he had his orders, “You should also know that she is not alone.”

There was a pause and Marco held his breath, “Not… alone?”

“No sir. She has been seen with one Michael Samuelle, we’re running a check on him now. He is currently with her at the hospital. This will be a problem.”

“Only if he gets in the way, then we eliminate him. No wait, even if he doesn’t – kill him anyway.”

*****

Brian and Dr. Branscom reviewed the results from the spinal tap again. They both knew that it wouldn’t change, the young woman had all the signs of bacterial meningitis. Even with the medications they had Nikita on her temperature continued to rise, she was more uncomfortable, almost all light hurt her eyes and she was growing more nauseous.

“We still need the results of the CT scan.” Brian murmured to his respected colleaugue.

“You already know what they will show.”

Brian sighed deeply and rubbed at the sore muscles at the back of his neck. “I know you’re right. But it doesn’t explain the abdominal tenderness that has started. Her pain levels are escalating and she should have responded better already to the meds.”

“You and I both know that sometimes these things present in different ways. Give it a few more hours for the antibiotics to work, I’ll keep a close watch of her vitals and symptoms.”

“It just doesn’t feel right.” Brian didn’t want to question his ecpert. Dr Branscom was absolutely the best. But something just wasn’t right.

“Brian, I promise she’ll be fine. We caught this early enough thanks to her watch dog that brought her in.”

That got a laugh from Brian, “Yeah. Michael can be a little intimidating can’t he?”

“A little? My wife tells me that I have a storng presence in a room that can make people uncomfiortable. But just get near her and he is instantly on guard and watching your every move.”

“I think my friend is in love. Poor guy.” Brian joked.

“Let’s just keep thje love of his life healthy. I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side.”

Me neither, thought Brian, me neither. But he still couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

*****

Michael had sat for hours by her side as she underwent test after test. She had been moved throughout the hospital and he had never left her side. He wouldn’t dream of leaving for even for amoment when she was so helpless so unable to really speak for herself. The thought of her so helpless in the state she was in just about tore him apart. When he realized just how close he was to loosing it after the spinal tap he took a few seconds out of the room to call Walter. The older man was great and said that he would be done to the hospital as fast as he could.

But for the moment Michael sat alone next to her and watched as she tried to rest. But her fever was rising and her forehead was covered in sweat and she seemed to be struggling with her breathing. That had just started a little while ago and he had buzzed for the nurse. The nurse didn’t seem too concerned and tried to reassure Michael’s fears. But he had insisted that the nurse find Brian and get him back here.

When Nikita was last awake she was complaining that her stomach hurt and now it seemed as if her breathing was labored. This was all driving Michael crazy as he just wanted her to be better no matter what. Why couldn’t they make her more comfortable? Why couldn’t they just tell him what this was and what they were going to do for it.

But then something happened that terrified Michael. Suddenly Nikita began twitching and then her head flew back against pillow where she laid and her eyes rolled back in her head and spasms continued throughout her body. He ran to the door of the room and yelled out into the hallway, “Help, Someone help her! She’s having a seizure!”

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