| Chapter 24 Kevin was staring at the ceiling, wondering if anyone was going to come and check on him soon. He needed to pee in the worst possible way. He reached over and tried to press the nurse's button, but the restraints wouldn't let him. He was about to give up when his psychiatrist and an FBI agent walked into the room. "Hey doc," Kevin said shyly. "Hello Kevin," the doctor said as he sat down. "Kevin this is agent McGill from the FBI, we both would like to ask you some questions," the doctor said taking out his notebook. "OK, but before we start, can I go to the bathroom?" Kevin asked, feeling like a child having to ask. "Oh of course," agent McGill said as he undid Kevin's restraints and followed him to the bathroom. Kevin felt like a criminal having to be escorted everywhere, but then again he was. Kevin returned to his bed, and agent McGill replaced his restraints. "Kevin, can you tell me what happened?" agent McGill asked. Kevin thought for a moment, he knew if he told them what really happened they would send him packing to the nearest mental facility. "Am I being charged with something?" Kevin asked, trying to stall. Agent McGill looked at Kevin, "We need to get some answers from you before we determine that." "Oh," Kevin said, "Did you talk to Brian?" Agent McGill and the doctor exchanged glances, "Brian is not able to talk to us right now," agent McGill answered. Kevin felt a surge of panic and guilt, "Is he going to be OK?" he asked, his voice breaking. "We don't know," the doctor answered. Kevin just looked at the wall, tears falling down his cheeks. "Kevin, back to my question," McGill said. "Don't I get to have an attorney present for this?" Kevin asked. "Yes you do, would you like someone to call him?" the doctor asked. "Yes." Kevin answered. "All right then, when your attorney arrives let me know," agent McGill said as he left the room. The doctor looked at Kevin, "Anything you tell me is confidential, I can't be made to disclose it." Kevin turned his head to look at him, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." The doctor smiled, "Try me." "OK, you asked for it," Kevin said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tara woke up and immediately jumped out of bed and headed in the direction of Brian's room. She rounded the corner to see Howie and A.J. sitting with Leighanne, and Nick sitting in the corner, just as they had been in her dream. Tara walked over and sat down in front of Nick. She reached out and took his hands in hers, "Nick, he will be all right." Nick looked up, not realizing she was there. His eyes were red from crying, "He's dying Tara!" Tara smiled at him and pointed at the window. Nick looked to see the doctor talking to Brian. "He'll be OK," Tara said as she and Nick got up and joined the others. Leighanne looked up as Tara and Nick walked over. She was so lost she didn't know what to do. Leighanne looked into Tara's eyes, there was an overwhelming since of peace there. "Lee, can I do anything for you?" Tara asked staring at her. Leighanne shook her head no, then the doctor came out of the room. Everyone stood up and almost rushed him, "How is he?" Nick asked. The doctor looked very unsettled, "He's holding his own now. I can't explain what just happened in there." Everyone exchanged confused glances, "Why? What happened?" Howie asked. The doctor lead them to the sitting area, he sat down and composed himself. "Brian was without oxygen and a discernible heart rhythm for sixteen minutes. He had no brain function for seven of those minutes. He should be dead right now, but he's not. Just as I was about to pronounce his time of death, he opened his eyes and started breathing!" The doctor was visibly shaken by what he was saying. "His brain function reads normal now, which it shouldn't, and he's getting by with an oxygen mask. His fever is gone, and all his vital signs are within normal range." "Thank God!" Nick and Leighanne said at the same time. The doctor laughed, "I believe that's right, cause that is the only way he's still alive. There was nothing done medically in that room that would've brought him back like that." "Can we see him?" Leighanne asked. "He's asleep right now, but you can go back in, yes." the doctor answered. Leighanne turned and headed back into the room, Howie and A.J. followed her. Tara started to follow, when Nick grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "How did you know?" he asked. Tara looked at him confused, "How did I know what?" "How'd you know Brian was gonna be OK?" he asked. Tara looked away from him, "I just had a feeling, that's all." Nick placed his finger on her chin and pulled her back to look at him, "I think it was more than that," he said. "Nick, it's not really," Tara said. Nick got a stern look on his face, "Tara, don't lie to me. I can see it in your eyes, you're not telling me everything." Tara closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek, I can't tell him yet! she thought. "Nick, there is something that I need to tell all of you, but I can't right now. You're just gonna have to trust me." she said. Nick had a hurt look on his face. "Please Nick, I promise I'll tell you when the time is right." Nick looked deep into her green eyes, there was such sincerity in them, but there was also something mysterious too. He let go of her arm, "OK, but I'm holding you to your promise." Tara smiled and took Nick's hand as they walked into Brian's room. Chapter 25 |