| Subject: WTTS2 - 59 |
Author:
KT
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Date Posted: 20:49:17 01/11/02 Fri
In reply to:
KT
's message, "Window to the Soul 2" on 20:43:26 01/11/02 Fri
Window to the Soul 2 - Part 59
By KT
Copyright May 21, 2000
Walter and Birkoff sat with Michael in the visiting area near recovery, listening intently while he related the events of the shooting. As he told them about Nikita's surgery and her near death experience, he broke down a bit.
"I almost lost her, Walter." He cradled his head in his hands as he muttered, almost to himself.
"No, we almost lost her, Michael." Walter stated, his voice gruff with emotion.
Birkoff was quiet, feeling a bit on the outside. He cleared his throat and made as if to stand and go, but Michael grabbed his arm and gave him a knowing look. "You're a good friend, Birkoff. It will mean a lot to Nikita to know that you're here. You two... you've been through a lot together." Michael had an idea that Birkoff knew something of Nikita's secrets.
Birkoff was grateful as Michael acknowledged him. "Yeah. We've been through good times and bad. I've never known anyone quite like her." He cast his eyes down. "I had a terrible crush on her when we first met," he confessed. "But she never led me on. She let me know right away that she could only be a friend. No one, no woman, that is, had ever been that honest with me. I guess it sealed our friendship forever." He looked seriously at Michael and Walter, then broke out into an irrepressible grin. "And it changed my opinion of beautiful blondes forever, too."
"I hate to interrupt this heartfelt exchange," Walter couldn't help but allow a note of comic sarcasm into his words, "but Michael, I need to tell you what has happened." His tone suddenly became weighty. "There has been some news in the case of your missing cellist." He drew a deep breath.
"Michael, a body has been found. Down at the Hall in the basement. It's... well, it's rather gruesome but... its hands were cut off. And it's been there a while." Walter shivered as he tried to imagine the murderer committing this brutal act.
Michael started at the news. "My God. Do they think it's Zalman?"
"They're working on it now. That's part of what I came for, besides to see Nikita, of course. Michael, you're wanted downtown for questioning and to possibly ID the body. They want you to file an eyewitness report on the shooting so they can begin proceedings against Karen Kent.
Walter was regretful. "It's not a matter of choice, Michael. If you don't go in, they'll come and fetch you. Detective O'Brien asked that you come immediately that you felt you could leave. That is, as soon as things with Nikita were taken care of." He gifted Michael with his sympathy. "Do you think she's out of danger? That you could go?"
Michael nodded. "She's in with the doctors now. I've already seen her, so I guess I could leave. Would you tell her where I've gone please?"
"Of course. Oh and how might we find Mrs. Wirth?"
"Nikita's mother is in Room 112. And Sabine and Gwen are here too."
Michael shook Birkoff's hand warmly, and gave Walter a gentle hug and left for the precinct.
* * * * * * * *
Gwen was on watch while Sabine sought news of Nikita's status. She had brought several books and some needlework to keep herself busy. She glanced over at Roberta, who had succumbed to a nap, then focused once again on her book. Sabine came in quietly and approached the bed. Roberta was gently awakened by Sabine. As their eyes met, she saw a sparkle in Sabine's, and a smile broke over her face.
"Sabine! What's happened?"
"Nikita is being released from recovery. She'll be here with us in a few minutes." Sabine heard Roberta's sigh of relief. Gwen looked up from her reading at the news.
"And she's all right?"
Before Sabine could answer, the door opened and the doctors wheeled Nikita's bed next to her Mom's. She was asleep, and Dr. Spence motioned quiet with a finger to his lips.
"Let her sleep," he said, almost whispering, to Sabine and Roberta. "She's extremely tired, and her body needs as much rest as possible to help speed her healing." He looked at the two ladies. Their faces asked the question he couldn't answer. "She's as good as can be expected at this time."
Dr. Herrington elaborated. "Her speech and other senses are unaffected by her injury, and her memory and thought processes are intact."
"Thank God," Roberta said softly. She looked Dr. Herrington in the eye. "And her hands, are they functioning? She's a pianist, you know. The Principal of the Chicago Symphony." A touch of pride snuck into her voice.
"Her hands are functioning just fine." The doctor didn't venture any further information, and Roberta seemed satisfied. She settled back on her pillows, exhausted from worrying, and drifted back into sleep.
Sabine, however, was not satisfied. As the doctors turned to leave the room, her instincts told her that there was more to the story. She excused herself and followed them into the hallway, closing the door behind her. She walked beside them.
"I'm Mrs. Wirth's hospice caregiver, Sabine de Lac," she introduced herself. She stopped Dr. Spence with a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry doctor, but is there something else we should know about Nikita's condition?" She hesitated. "I don't want to appear rude, but there is something you're not telling us, isn't there?"
The three of them stood facing each other, and Sabine could see the reluctance on the doctors' faces. "There is," said Dr. Herrington, "but we have allowed the patient some freedom here, as per her wishes. She would like to tell you herself, and we agreed. You understand, of course, since you must deal with difficult situations in your work."
"Yes, I understand. Well, thank you. I'll certainly respect Nikita's wishes. It's only her mother I'm thinking of. She is terminal, as you have probably observed, and cannot endure too much more stress in her fragile condition."
Dr. Spence spoke up. "We are concerned for her mother's health, but we're more concerned that Nikita's wishes are met. If she's not able to tell you, then we will intervene. It isn't something that she can really prevent you from knowing."
Sabine's stomach churned as she feared what news Nikita might have to disclose. The doctors took their leave and Sabine went back in to check on Roberta and Nikita. As she was thinking over the doctors' comments, Walter and Birkoff entered. She looked up and greeted them softly, attempting an offhand smile, but her heart was in her eyes, and her eyes looked worried.
Walter strode forward as he connected with her apprehensive look and grasped Sabine's hands. He quickly kissed her on each cheek and then on the back of each hand. "Is everything OK, Sabine?"
Gwen and Birkoff smiled to themselves as they watched the exchange.
"Why... yes, Walter."
Sabine's hesitation didn't fool him for a minute, but he thought it wise to let it go just now. Walter's eyes turned on the sleeping Nikita and his heart contracted as he took in her shorn head with its bandage and tubing, the monitors of her vitals, and the IV in her arm. He looked at Birkoff, who was standing in awe of the sight of her. Walter moved to put his arm around Birkoff's shoulders.
"Oh, Walter." His voice was very quiet. "I didn't think it would look so bad."
"Haven't seen much of this kind of thing, eh kid?"
Birkoff shook his head. He was very tender-hearted and deeply affected. Walter's arm tightened about him in a comforting gesture.
"Well, if I know anything about Nikita, it's that she's a fighter," he remarked, recalling the determination he'd heard in her voice when she had first revealed her mother's condition to Birkoff. And the time she'd told him about wanting to set Karen Kent straight. And how deeply she had affected Michael's life.
"She'll come through this all right. Don't you worry." He wished he felt as certain about it as he sounded, but they all needed to keep their spirits up just now.
Birkoff nodded and stepped forward to lay his hand on Nikita's arm. "Be well, my friend." He turned to Walter. "I've gotta go. To work. You'll call if there's any news? Just leave a message on my machine."
Walter nodded and Birkoff said his goodbyes to Sabine and Gwen. Walter stepped around the bed, pulling Sabine's hand into his.
"Care to go for a walk? Maybe grab a coffee in the cafeteria?"
She smiled at his good humor. "I'd love to, thanks." She looked over her shoulder at Gwen. "You know where to find me."
* * * * * * * *
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