Daysleeper Chap. 2
Chapter 2
“Vicki I’m not leaving you because you do have something to do right now. I think I botched last nights’ stakeout so we should go back.” He was out and out lying to her but it couldn’t be helped besides she probably wouldn’t go to the doctor unless forced to do so. Coreen was on the phone and he had to get her out before she realized who Coreen was on the phone with. “You did what? But I told the wife to come in tomorrow because I had the evidence ready! I can’t believe it I fall asleep on the job and this is why I should always review the evidence before ever rendering a case closed”, Vicki as ever was furious at herself for something that she never actually did. Henry noticed that she wasn’t mad at him though.
“Ready? we should go you know” he brought her jacket to her and gestured to Coreen that she was to text him the information. She nodded, and saw instantly that it was all a ruse. They were out into the crisp night before Vicki could cough again, but she was shivering now. Once in the car and nearing the hospital Henry got Coreen’s text. Vicki was busy coughing and couldn’t protest that they were going completely the wrong way. Once into the hospital parking lot he steeled himself for her protestations.
“What are you doing? We have to go to the stake out!” The words stifled by more coughing.
“Listen Vicki I lied slightly about botching the case I actually have the photographs with me and the surveillance tapes too. But I’m bringing you to the hospital because I really think you’re sick.” Henry’s voice was firm and there was no touch of the usual playfulness, arrogance or even the confidence that characterized his voice. Vicki just wasn’t in any sort of a mood to recognize that. He was out and at her door opening it before she could say no. “Coreen says that we’re to go straight to the ER because its not busy.” He didn’t mention that Coreen had also said that Vicki couldn't have gotten in to see her own doctor anyways. He tried not say anything that would just make her angry at him again and drive her to escape..
Vicki’s resigned manner told him that he’d won for the time being. An hour later they were finally being registered by a young nurse that looked to be about twenty-two. Vicki had spent the hour asleep on Henry’s shoulder. Henry was disturbingly aroused by the amount of blood that swirled around him in the forms of all sorts of people, but was also painfully aware at how much of it was diseased or otherwise part of the medical staff. After summoning Coreen to the hospital to help him because he was pretty sure that he wouldn’t want to wake up Vicki just to fill out paper work and also he had no intention of leaving Vicki’s sleeping form for a second. He worried that Vicki was so exhausted. Under the bright fluorescent lights Henry was aware that this was a side of the human world he was never privy to. As a courtier and bastard son of a king he never had to wait on those who were sick. In fact the only times when he did come near those who were ill was when he was desperate and even then never stayed long enough to see the despair inherent in a place as ordinary as a hospital.
He was roused from his reverie by the impossibly young resident by the name of Dr. Woods. Vicki was coughing and Dr. Woods waited until she was done to take them back to a separate room that was nothing more than a curtained off section. Whilst Dr. Woods listened at Vicki’s chest and a nurse took blood and checked her vision Henry couldn’t help but be maddened by the sight of Vicki’s body, she’d lost over ten pounds and he hadn’t noticed because… well for no good reason because even though she was not regularly undressing before him he should have known, it was evident through her winter layers. Vicki at thirty-five had some wrinkles around her mouth but they were not hardened with old age. Rather under the fluorescent lights he fancied her skin was see-through and he wondered how she could be so unaware of her fragility. And there was only his anxiety that she wouldn’t want his blood that kept him from forcing it on her.
Dr. Woods asked many questions about her state for the last couple of weeks but Vicki was prone to brushing off her symptoms so it was Coreen who volunteered answers instead. Vicki muttered about busybody receptionists who were professed Goths and still managed to be much too perky and sympathetic to be proper mundanes. “She’s just saying this so she can have free rein when we close up the office.” Vicki finished loudly and somewhat pointedly.
“I would be offended Vicki but the fact is I’m used to your grouchiness and I’ll probably have more to do if you are out of commission for a while.” Coreen was completely sincere in her concern for Vicki and about being taken seriously despite her outlandish way of dressing. Tonight for example it was freezing out and she was wearing thigh-high boots with an overly zippered shirt-dress-type thing in red and black plaid; topped off by a Russian army coat that dwarfed her frame and was ripped at the arm sleeves only to be held in place by safety pins. I suppose it wasn’t the absolute strangest thing I’d ever seen her wear. Thought Vicki instantly feeling a pang of guilt for being so contrary and rude, she knew that Coreen cared about her, in fact had no real doubt about her concern. She was more constitutionally opposed to being coddled so.
“Well you have a fever of a 102.5, so since you’ve come in and its actually done you’ll just have to calm down. Right now I think I have to get you undressed and down to radiology to check for any shadows in the lungs. I can tell that you are quite sick but I’d rather hold off on exact diagnosis so I’ll better be able to prescribe the right antibiotics.” She handed Vicki a hospital gown, and Coreen took the hint to draw the curtain around the bed where Vicki sat Henry remained at his post bedside.
“If your friend here” Dr. Woods was looking pointedly at Coreen, “would be so kind as to help you fill out this form so we can finish up your paperwork.” Coreen had thought to bring along a copy of Vicki’s medical file, which apparently even Vicki was surprised at.
“And you can only have one person go down to radiology with you it’s in a cramped part of the building so your, um, boyfriend here can accompany you.” Dr. Woods was already showing Henry the map of the building, and it was a moment or two before Vicki actually got a word out.
“But he’s…” sputtered out Vicki finally.
“Not accustomed to hospitals but don’t worry sweetheart I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Henry’s smile was reassuring and didn’t seem very cheeky at all. Maybe I really am sick did I just imagine…?