027. Diagnosis

[vicodincrutch]

Private//Hackable With Skillz;
Agent X0281 Cyrano, if you can understand me in in your sedative laced stupor, know that you are in good hands. Word from the New Delhi base is that your mission was a success. There was also a warning that opposing agents have been following you since Egypt. You must remain undercover.

I will do the best I can. Agent X0299 Sherlock out.
End Filter;

The patient is in a delicate, but stable condition. For now. He can't have too much excitement. The head wound from that banana cart is obviously agitated. You may speak to him. But...he may not remember you. The poor devil.

Comments

Private

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

... Doctor?

Private

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

I'm here. None of your wounds are fatal but there are....complications.

Private

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

The mission?

Private

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

Operation "Jungle Book" phase "Bare Necessities" was a success.

Private

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

Then what ... complications?

Private

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

You were followed. You can't remove your cover. Not even to your loved ones.

...Your story is that you have amnesia.

Private

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

Damn it ...

The amnesia. How long?

Private

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

It wasn't in the status report. I'd suggest as long as you can. We don't know who the agents are.

Private

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

My brother?

Private

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

He wants to see you.

But he can't know. It's for his safety and yours.

Private

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

Let me talk to him.

[

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

You have a visitor.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

[Cal practically storms inside, throwing quick a look toward House. He had no idea if the man was really a doctor or not, outside of the curse. But right then, he didn't care]

Nik? [There's something between a glare and surprise at the sight in front of him]

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[Bit of a wave--with his left hand--from the hospital bed.]

Hey, Cal. Been awhile, I guess.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

[Stomp stomp. He stops beside the bed, still not sure how to react. What if Niko was affected too?]

How long were you back for?

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[Brow furrows in genuine confusion.]

Back? Do you mean here?

[halfed.livejournal.com]

As in home, idiot. Our world.

[And slowly slowly, he's catching on]

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

Home? I don't know. The doctor should be able to ...

[shakes his head, not entirely an act, because Cal's confusing him]

I can't remember much after I left for India. I'm sorry.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

India? [And the light clicks on. There's a heavy sigh and he drags over a chair, collapsing into it. In an almost bored voice he continues.] And what were you doing over there?

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[Tiny shrug and a wince.]

Sight-seeing, I suppose.

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

The authorities found post cards, a destroyed instant camera and the crumbled remains of at least four ceramic elephants from the wreckage would confirm it.

Whatever you do, don't give him a banana. The memory of the crash could send him into conniptions.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

[He glares over at House.] My brother isn't the kind of guy who'd flip out over something stupid like that.

This is all pointless.

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[pushes himself up against the pillows]

Cal, please. He's just trying to help.

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

Your brother has head trauma. It isn't like he chose this. If you insist on upsetting him....then you should make funeral plans.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

He's also not the kind of guy to let something like a stupid curse get the better of him.

[Have a frown, big brother]

The sooner it hits midnight, the better.

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[Have a frown right back.]

Did something happen while I was gone? How long was I gone?

[halfed.livejournal.com]

From here? A couple of days. [His expression is proof enough that it was still too long] Loman went home for a few days too. He said he was back for a year though.

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[Narrows eyes and exchanges a suspicious glance with the doctor. Loman was a codeword. Is it possible ... No. Not his own brother.]

Is it the sedatives? The memory loss? Is that why I can't make sense of things, Doctor?

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

You hit your head. Hard. The memory loss is a side effect. There's nothing I can do for it. With luck and rest, some memories will be recovered.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

You'll be fine once it's midnight.

[He slumps back in the seat again, bored. They're just going to keep going in circles at this rate.]

Jesus, Cyrano. I thought you were hard enough to deal with at the best of times.

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[Tenses upon hearing "Cyrano." How can his brother know the codename? He can't have been compromised. Niko doesn't want to believe it.

If protocol's been followed, there should be a gun concealed on the side of the mattress. Out of sight, Niko's left hand reaches for it.]

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

You don't seem so concerned about your brother?

[halfed.livejournal.com]

[Completely oblivious to their actions, Cal glances up to House]

Why would I be? As long as you don't kill him before midnight, he'll be fine.

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

[Maybe he's overreacting. Maybe ... A plan forms.]

Doctor, I'd like to go home with my brother. Tonight. Can I do that?

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

If that is truly want. I wouldn't advise it. You are in healthy enough condition. A hospital room would be ideal if you should have some sort of relapse.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

[Home...sounded like a very good idea right about then]

He'll be okay till midnight though, right?

[cal-sitter.livejournal.com]

I'll be fine.

[pointed look at Agent Sherlock]

Would you please fill out the paperwork?

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

Alright. We will be in contact.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah. [It's muttered under his breath]

[That answered that then, Cal stands up, pushing the seat away to give Niko space to get up.]

1/2

[halfed.livejournal.com]

...Niko?

[halfed.livejournal.com]

What injury? What the hell are you talking about?

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

While returning from his globe trotting to work out the delinquency that has so plagued his promising future, he...was in an accident. A banana cart careened into the over packed bus.

There were.... eight survivors, Niko included but...was not to be the same.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

Globe tro- Great. This stupid curse again.

Where is he?

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

He has a room in my private practice. Are you family?

[halfed.livejournal.com]

His brother. Where's that?

[vicodincrutch.livejournal.com]

Not far. I assure you.

His extent of amnesia is still being tested. He knows the date, his name...perhaps you will be a test of just how much.

[halfed.livejournal.com]

Will he be al- ... I'm coming to see him.