Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Machinegun Angel ❯ Fallen ( Chapter 3 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: plasticlove 
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Post-apocalyptic / Mecha / Cyberpunk / Action | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 11.12.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 199 | Status: Completed
Miscellaneous: Original Stories Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Sci-fi / Romance / Post-apocalyptic / Mecha / Cyberpunk / Action | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 11.12.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 199 | Status: Completed
Episode 3~ "Fallen" Author's note: The hospitals in MGA are much like those of the 1930's - the 1950's. Since technology is slowly being rebuilt, most of the world is like this. Hospitals are small, and aren't as advanced as the ones of today. They are brick buildings, with large winding staircases, and many large windows. The walls are cracked, the floors scuffed, and the equipment is very primitive. Some equipment, however, still exists, (ventilators, defibrillators, etc) but are more 'rustic' versions of the ones we see today. Uniforms, although some are slightly more modern than others, are also of the same period.
-Flowers and other agricultural items, such as fruits and veggies are EXTREMELY expensive to common folk. Flowers, especially because they are grown in greenhouses owned by RUBICON, and therefore, are also hoarded. Giving another person a flower in MGA is like giving that person a pearl necklace. It is extremely rare, and a sign of complete love and devotion.
--
An ambulance rushed Gauge to the hospital.
Ophelia waited anxiously for hours before she would hear anything about Gauge's condition. She sat sadly on a large wooden bench outside of Operating Room#2, a million thoughts rushing through her head. Her arm was bandaged, as she had obtained a small injury herself during the attack. Other than the minor cut and some bruising, she had been left unharmed. Ophelia's thoughts were resting completely on Gauge, who she now knew was a weapon. She recalled when the ambulance first arrived.
"He's not breathing!" she cried out, watching as the paramedics pulled the stretcher out of the back of the large vehicle. Monet had met her at the door, running down the hallways and pushing through the large double doors.
"What is his status?!" She yelled out to the paramedics as they lifted him up the stone steps of the small ambulance port. Her eyes turned and spotted Ophelia, who looked as if she had been dragged through the gutter. It wasn't far from the truth. "OPHELIA!?"
The raven-haired nurse stumbled over to her friend, and ran alongside her. "Monet... This man saved my life! You have to help him! He's a clone! I think he may be in septic shock!”
Monet instructed them to take him to the trauma room, before Ophelia abruptly pulled her aside. Another trauma doctor rushed in to take over where Monet had left off, pumping air into the lifeless clone's lungs with a respirator device. "Ophelia, I will do everything I can...”
Ophelia suddenly shot Monet a look of complete and utter sadness. Her aqua eyes were almost pleading as she looked directly into those of her sempai. "Monet... That man... He isn't any ordinary clone. He's... He's that weapon you were telling me about! I saw it with my own eyes... Wings... Huge Angel wings... As if I was staring directly into the eyes of God! He isn't hostile... He saved me from a street gang! They were going to kill me, Monet I swear it!"
"That man is a nuclear WEAPON?!” Monet went to turn around, but Ophelia grabbed her by the arm firmly pulling her back around.
"He SAVED ME! It isn't his fault he's a weapon! Look, He can control his own power! I saw the power withdraw back into his body. He isn't controlled by RUBICON-- it's as if someone severed the ability for RUBICON to detonate him! He's a trustworthy person, I assure you, Monet! And... I care about him... He is my friend! Please, PLEASE, I'm begging you. Don't turn him in! He will die if you don't help him now!” Ophelia dropped to her knees, her head resting on Monet's stomach.
Monet bowed her head down, and placed her hand on the back of Ophelia's head. She could see that she was suffering greatly inside for this person. This weapon. He really meant a lot to her, and had, in fact, saved her life.
"Oh Ophelia, I told you not to leave the hospital... What am I going to do with you?”
Ophelia looked up to see a look of sympathy on her friend's face. She wiped her eyes and smiled, knowing Monet would indeed risk it all to make sure Gauge was all right for her.
Monet was always bailing her out of trouble, especially when it came to Dublin. Fortunately, Dublin was at the Pub with friends, and wasn't there this night. Ophelia realized Monet was taking a major risk by treating Gauge. Not only was he a clone, But RUBICON's missing weapon. If Sentinels found out she was taking care of him, she would surely be arrested, Gauge would be captured, and the hospital would be shut down. Still, she was willing to do it all, just for her very best friend Ophelia. Besides, once Monet saw how desperately Gauge needed medical attention, she knew she had made the right decision. Her sympathy immediately went out to him, and now she wasn't sure she would even be able to help him.
Ophelia could do nothing but wait for word on Gauge's condition. Monet had told her earlier that it looked very bad for him. She hadn't heard from Monet since they brought Gauge into the Operating room. She assumed that he had been stabilized, and they were now trying to repair his ravaged body. She could only hope that Monet, being the best surgeon and doctor in all of Sanction 9, would be able to help her newly found friend. Her eyes glanced once again to the clock on the cracked stone wall, just as the door to the operating unit creaked open. Ophelia immediately stood up, and looked directly at Monet, who was pulling the mask down off of her face.
"Gauge... is he...” Ophelia felt her heart racing for her friend. Monet approached Ophelia, who she could tell could barely stand. A gentle hand touched hers, and it was somewhat soothing to her.
"He's holding on. I just finished removing the bullet fragments and damaged tissue. There were three bullet wounds... all of them very badly infected. I'm actually shocked he managed to survive this long. By all rights, he should be dead right now. He's fallen deeply into Septicemia-- Blood Poisoning. I removed quite a large amount of infected tissue from his wounds. They will be open for a while before I can do anything to close them.” Monet sat down on the bench. Ophelia could see the blackish, infected blood on Monet's shoe covers. "I've started him on an IV of clindamycin to treat the infection, but he will need massive doses in a short period of time. I've also got him on fluids and Morphine, but I'm not sure if he will make it through the night. There is a very serious problem."
The nurse looked to her best friend in despair, tears running down her cheeks. "What... do you mean, a problem?",
"He needs a blood transfusion... desperately. He's lost so much blood that it will be impossible for his body to fight the infection without it. The problem is... Gauge has been genetically altered. It was more than likely his predecessor who was the one that underwent the experimentation, and Gauge received the same genetically altered blood upon birth. Unless we find someone who was also altered in the same method, with the same altered genetic material in their blood, Gauge will not survive. I'm really sorry Ophelia. I did everything I could." Monet sympathetically put her arms around the now crying Ophelia.
"I had the hospital give a call to his owner-- He's apparently been registered to a factory foreman. I have no idea how he could have registered being what he is... It must have been a bootleg tattoo. It's still valid, under the name Jade VonDrake"
Ophelia wiped her eyes "It's not like it matters anyhow. How on earth can we find blood to save him in time? Where do we even begin looking?"
"Ophelia my dear...” Monet placed her arms around her once again to comfort her. "He's been taken to the ICU. I’m sure that..."
"DOCTOR ITO!" A voice yelled as the door to the unit opened once again. Monet and Ophelia looked up immediately to see what was going on. It was another surgeon. "There's a man here... He claims he has the same blood type as your patient!! QUICKLY! We need to begin the transfusion immediately!"
Monet could only sit there for a split second in shock. When she finally regained herself, she smiled to Ophelia and patted her head. She then turned and rushed back to the ICU, leaving Ophelia all by herself once again in the hallway, waiting. She heaved a sigh, and leaned against the window. The dark sky was becoming a hazy purple outside. The snow from the previous night had turned to a dark rain that slapped against the glass. Ophelia could do nothing but plop back down on the bench and rest her head in her hands.
Who was this "man" that claimed to own Gauge? It couldn't be Koto-san. He was too poor to own a registered, working class clone. Was it that white haired man from earlier that day? Ophelia wondered if there was more to Gauge than she initially thought.
--
It wasn't until 9:00AM the next day, 11 hours after Gauge had first been admitted to the hospital, that Ophelia received word that Gauge was stable. He was thankfully given the transfusion he so desperately needed, and was resting in the intensive care unit. Ophelia had slept a bit while awaiting word on him, and was in the ladies room fixing herself up to prepare to visit Gauge. She had no idea what she would even say to him after seeing what she did last night. What would he say to her? Butterflies fluttered in her tummy as she buttoned her nurse uniform and gazed at her reflection.
Then there was the matter of Dublin.
He would definitely be there today. First she had to deal with him scolding her for not returning home that night and now there was the matter of Gauge. There was no hiding the fact that he was a clone. Ophelia took a deep breath and decided it would be best to just take the day as it came, and be relieved she was there, breathing and able to live. It was all because of Gauge that she was standing there right now, and she needed to at least thank him for what he did.
While walking towards the room that Monet had told her Gauge was located in, Ophelia could smell something peculiar, but extremely pleasant. Her black nurses' clogs stepped quietly towards the doorway to his room after hearing a quiet, yet deep voice speaking from within.
It was him. The white-haired man with the eye patch. Ophelia did not know the man, but recognized him from earlier. She also noticed something else. Something that made her jaw drop. A crowd of female nurses had gathered around the window to Gauge's room, and although they couldn't see him, they could see the gift that had been brought for him in hopes of his recovery.
There, on a table near the window was a gigantic bouquet of white, long stem roses.
Due to their rarity, Ophelia had never seen a flower in her entire life. She knew immediately that this man was not only RUBICON, but also filthy rich. She recalled Monet mentioning he was a factory foreman. Ophelia barged through the nurses, telling them to get back to work, and hid behind the wall. She could hear what was going on perfectly now.
Virgo, the white-haired man sat in a wooden chair next to the large iron bed where Gauge laid, propped up on soft white pillows. His head sunk deep into them, and he appeared to be coming out of deep sedation. There was a bedpan at his side, placed there for him when he became ill, as he had done more than a few times that morning. A clear oxygen mask covered his face to help him breathe through the night, and as Gauge coughed Virgo reached out his hand to pull it down, and allow him to cough up whatever had been troubling his breathing.
"There, there." he comforted. Gauge recognized his voice, and was indeed soothed by him. When he finally dragged his eyes open he could see the man sitting before him. Virgo took some tissues from the nightstand and gently helped wipe away the blood that Gauge had spit up all over his chin, and now speckled the once clean white sheets. His breathing was still shallow and weak, as the antibiotic had barely been given enough time to kick in. "Don't overdo it, Gauge." Virgo spoke softly.
Gauge winced in pain, but the pain wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been earlier that night. It wasn't a sickly pain like it had been. It was now dull, and seemingly eased by medication. He recognized this feeling all too well. For a moment, Gauge wasn't sure where he was. When his blurred vision finally focused, his teeth began to chatter. Virgo pulled the thin blanket up to his chin. "You gave me quite a scare. Don't you ever do that again, you understand me? How could you let those wounds get infected so terribly? You are lucky to be alive, Gauge."
Closing his eyes for a moment, Gauge knew Virgo was the type to reprimand him, but never in the tone of voice he was speaking in now. It was almost as if his iron heart was melting watching him in that hospital bed. "Sorry... Virgo-sama," his weak voice spoke softly.
"I brought you a little something to cheer you up. I know she is the reason you've been so upset lately." Virgo stood up, taking his cane and walking over to the flowers. "They remind you of her, do they not?”
Gauge squinted seeing the beautiful bouquet. He felt calm just seeing them from where he was in the bed. Virgo carried them over to the nightstand and placed them closer to Gauge, so that he could enjoy them better. "You shouldn't fret about those that have passed on. I know I'm sounding like a hypocrite, but I can't see you suffer like this any longer. I'm afraid we both have demons we need to release from our souls."
Gauge looked to the flowers and closed his eyes. He realized his cross pendant was there on the nightstand as well. He was still far too sick, and in far too much pain to care at the moment. He just wanted to rest.
"Please get better. I notified Koto-san that you were here, and that you are doing well. He sends his wishes, and hopes you are able to return home soon. I want you to get well, Gauge. That is an order." Virgo leaned in and kissed Gauge's forehead sweetly, and touched his cheek. He placed the oxygen mask back on his face, and proceeded to walk towards the exit. Ophelia quickly tried to make it look like she had been working there and had not been listening.
Virgo turned to her as he passed with a devious stare. "Next time you chose to eavesdrop, make sure not to get caught." His stern voice spoke as he limped down the hallway towards the desk. Ophelia stepped back in shock. This man was definitely sharp! In fact, he was almost as sharp as Monet.
"I want you to make sure he is well taken care of. I don't care the cost. If anything happens, I will have your job, and the job of everyone else in this hospital, you hear me?"
Wow... This guy was serious! He MUST be some big hot-shot RUBICON-type. She couldn't believe Gauge was owned by such a pompous jerk! She snarled in his direction as he walked away.
She then realized it was her turn to face Gauge...
_____
Four Days Earlier...
The sound of gunshots echoed off the walls of the small thrift shop, and shattered glass hit the floor. The old man ducked beneath his desk and had crawled into the cabinet for shelter from the barrage of bullets. Koto-san heard a few more shots and the sound of his bodyguard letting out a horrific cry of pain. He knew Gauge had been hit.
Gauge's eyes widened as the bullets tore into his flesh. One had found its way completely through, but two of the others remained inside, tearing his insides until they finally came to rest within him. His body collapsed into a nearby shelf of relics, knocking the entire display over with him. With the last of his strength, Gauge managed to lift his revolver and fired one final round of bullets. By the time he fired the sixth, the gang had already gotten away with the contents of the oji-san's cash-box.
"GAUGE-SAN!" the elderly man yelled out. He stood up and made his way over shattered glass towards where his fallen bodyguard lay. Using his cane, he knelt down beside Gauge and placed a hand over his bleeding stomach wound. Gauge let out a cry of pain.
His ruby-red eyes sparkled with tears as he turned to see his friend safe and sound, without a scratch. He could only smile, a pool of blood forming beneath him. He tried to talk, but it hurt just too damned much. "I let them get away...” he cried, his voice weak with agony.
Koto-san carefully held Gauge in his arms, his stern exterior melting for the one who had nearly given his life to protect him. Thankfully, it looked as though none of the bullets had hit any vital organs.
"It's alright Gauge-san-- you saved my life. Come on; let's get these wounds cleaned up. I'll draw you a hot bath, and I'll see if I can find a doctor to come look at them..."
The old man was quickly interrupted as Gauge forced himself into a sitting position. "NO! No Doctors! I'm completely fine! I've been shot before, this is nothing! I can take care of these wounds on my own!” Koto-san could see the pain in his eyes. He was wise, and knew Gauge was lying to hide the fact that he was afraid.
"I understand your fear for Hospitals, but this is serious! This may be the one you don't walk away from, Gauge-san."
___
Present day...
Those words echoed in Gauge's head as he rested. Koto-san had been right-- maybe he should have just listened and avoided this pain. Cold sweat poured down his forehead and soaked the sheets of the bed around him. His breathing was troubled as he slept, the oxygen mask barely helping him at all. In and out of sleep he drifted, fighting the many horrible thoughts that entered his mind.
He found himself lying on a table in a brightly lit laboratory, connected to all kinds of devices and plugs. He remembered the electrodes that pierced his spine, and how they barely used sedatives when they did their awful experimentations on his flesh.
There was one man in particular Gauge remembered from that time in his existence. A younger red-haired man with facial tattoos. He had a beautiful, but haunting face, and Gauge remembered it like it was just yesterday. He could never forget those piercing black eyes, and that long, blood-red hair that crept down his back to his feet. This was the man responsible for making him what he was. As an electrode pierced him, he saw the image disappear as fast as it had begun.
Then, suddenly, he felt at ease.
It was as if the pain had suddenly been lifted from his body. He could feel a warm breeze on his skin and the gentle touch of a soft hand on his arm, which was bandaged. Gauge remembered this place! Looking around, he found himself surrounded by a bright sky behind a shell of windows that created what he remembered to be a large greenhouse. He could smell the sweet scent of flowers, and hear the chirping of birds all around him. He realized he knew this place very well-- it was soothing to him.
And so was she.
He was sitting in what he remembered to be a wheelchair, his legs propped up on pillows. He could see they were obviously badly injured by the metal bars and fixation devices used to repair them. It didn't seem to matter to him at this moment, though, as he was so focused on the person that was kneeling beside him. She was so beautiful, so perfect, dressed in a clean white nurse's uniform. Her hair was long and reddish-brown, cascading down her back in perfect curls. Gauge smiled to her as her hand caressed his face and pulled him closer.
"I love you, Gauge" She whispered to him.
Gauge opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say it, it was as if the deaf girl already knew. Their lips met, and Gauge kissed her softly. Tears came to his eyes. He couldn't feel her lips-- it was as if she were fading away from him. He tried to reach his hand out to her, and suddenly found himself in the midst of a sandstorm. The scene had changed and he felt the sharp pain of bullet wounds. He tried to pick her up, but she kept falling. "ELLIE?!" he cried, but it was too late. The bullets had passed straight through him and struck her. Her body slumped to the ground, and he collapsed to his knees with her in his arms.
"ELLIE WAKE UP!" He cried out in the howling wind, shaking her gently. It was too late for the young woman... she was already gone.
"ELLIE! Don't leave me, PLEASE!" He continued to cry. "I LOVE YOU!"
His voice turned hoarse, and he could only speak in a whisper.
The scene faded to darkness, and he was pulled out of the terrible nightmare. His voice still spoke that very same name as he moved his head back and forth; trying so hard to come out of the coma he had fallen into. His eyes slowly unsealed and light filled his vision. The first thing he saw when he realized he was no longer asleep was the familiar face sitting in the chair next to him. His eyes focused, and he realized he was breathing normally. The pain had become less intense, and his fever had broken during his sleep.
"Nur...sey?" He managed, squinting in the bright light of the hospital room.
Ophelia, who had been resting herself, lifted her head slowly and dragged her eyes open. It didn't take her long at all to awaken when she noticed that Gauge was now awake, and from what she could see, his fever had broken. The antibiotics had finally helped him!
"Gauge? Are you awake?" She leaned forward, and grasped the rail of his bed. She could see him searching the room, and then attempting to sit up. He was indeed feeling MUCH better! She smiled in relief, seeing him grasp the stuffed cat that she had brought back to him. It had been repaired and washed, and it seemed as if this cat was very important to him. He held it close to him. "I... fixed him for you. Are you feeling better?" She asked, knowing he was more than likely afraid of where he was.
Gauge turned to her, and saw the bandage on her arm. He saw his own arm, full of IV needles and bandaged up to keep them in place. This made him shiver with terror, but he kept his fears quiet while she was there. Her presence soothed him for some reason. Maybe it was because Ophelia reminded him of...her. He looked away in shame, as the memories of last night came back to him.
"I... want to thank you... For saving my life last night." She said, bowing her head. She blushed, having noticed how sexy he was sitting there in the hospital bed all bandaged up and helpless. "I owe you my life.”
Turning to her, he examined her carefully. The girl must have taken him to the hospital last night, even after witnessing that he was in fact a wanted criminal, as well as a dangerous weapon. She had risked everything just to save his life. He saw her hand resting on the bed rail, and he reached out to touch it. "You saved me...” he spoke quietly. He looked as if he were about to cry.
"Don't worry, Gauge. You're going to be just fine. I made sure of it. And you don't have to worry about a thing. The doctor that is taking care of you is the best of the best. She knows everything, and she's still willing to make sure you leave here in good health. We have no intentions of turning you in, I promise!” Gauge's soft hands ran across her wedding band, and he pulled away.
"Why are you doing this for me?” he asked, still in a bit of pain. "Aren't you afraid of me? Aren't you grossed out by my scars and my torn-up body?”
Ophelia couldn't believe her ears! In her eyes, there was a gorgeous man sitting before her. "No... Not at all.” She tried to smile, although it killed her to hear him saying this. "You saved me, Gauge. You're my hero."
Gauge could see the sincerity in her eyes. Usually he was untrusting, but for some reason beyond him, he felt connected to Ophelia. Seeing her there in the nurse's uniform reminded him so much of the girl in his dreams. The girl that had saved his life not more than three years ago. He felt comfort, and although he had never been able to open up to someone so quickly before, he somehow knew that he could trust Ophelia.
-Flowers and other agricultural items, such as fruits and veggies are EXTREMELY expensive to common folk. Flowers, especially because they are grown in greenhouses owned by RUBICON, and therefore, are also hoarded. Giving another person a flower in MGA is like giving that person a pearl necklace. It is extremely rare, and a sign of complete love and devotion.
--
An ambulance rushed Gauge to the hospital.
Ophelia waited anxiously for hours before she would hear anything about Gauge's condition. She sat sadly on a large wooden bench outside of Operating Room#2, a million thoughts rushing through her head. Her arm was bandaged, as she had obtained a small injury herself during the attack. Other than the minor cut and some bruising, she had been left unharmed. Ophelia's thoughts were resting completely on Gauge, who she now knew was a weapon. She recalled when the ambulance first arrived.
"He's not breathing!" she cried out, watching as the paramedics pulled the stretcher out of the back of the large vehicle. Monet had met her at the door, running down the hallways and pushing through the large double doors.
"What is his status?!" She yelled out to the paramedics as they lifted him up the stone steps of the small ambulance port. Her eyes turned and spotted Ophelia, who looked as if she had been dragged through the gutter. It wasn't far from the truth. "OPHELIA!?"
The raven-haired nurse stumbled over to her friend, and ran alongside her. "Monet... This man saved my life! You have to help him! He's a clone! I think he may be in septic shock!”
Monet instructed them to take him to the trauma room, before Ophelia abruptly pulled her aside. Another trauma doctor rushed in to take over where Monet had left off, pumping air into the lifeless clone's lungs with a respirator device. "Ophelia, I will do everything I can...”
Ophelia suddenly shot Monet a look of complete and utter sadness. Her aqua eyes were almost pleading as she looked directly into those of her sempai. "Monet... That man... He isn't any ordinary clone. He's... He's that weapon you were telling me about! I saw it with my own eyes... Wings... Huge Angel wings... As if I was staring directly into the eyes of God! He isn't hostile... He saved me from a street gang! They were going to kill me, Monet I swear it!"
"That man is a nuclear WEAPON?!” Monet went to turn around, but Ophelia grabbed her by the arm firmly pulling her back around.
"He SAVED ME! It isn't his fault he's a weapon! Look, He can control his own power! I saw the power withdraw back into his body. He isn't controlled by RUBICON-- it's as if someone severed the ability for RUBICON to detonate him! He's a trustworthy person, I assure you, Monet! And... I care about him... He is my friend! Please, PLEASE, I'm begging you. Don't turn him in! He will die if you don't help him now!” Ophelia dropped to her knees, her head resting on Monet's stomach.
Monet bowed her head down, and placed her hand on the back of Ophelia's head. She could see that she was suffering greatly inside for this person. This weapon. He really meant a lot to her, and had, in fact, saved her life.
"Oh Ophelia, I told you not to leave the hospital... What am I going to do with you?”
Ophelia looked up to see a look of sympathy on her friend's face. She wiped her eyes and smiled, knowing Monet would indeed risk it all to make sure Gauge was all right for her.
Monet was always bailing her out of trouble, especially when it came to Dublin. Fortunately, Dublin was at the Pub with friends, and wasn't there this night. Ophelia realized Monet was taking a major risk by treating Gauge. Not only was he a clone, But RUBICON's missing weapon. If Sentinels found out she was taking care of him, she would surely be arrested, Gauge would be captured, and the hospital would be shut down. Still, she was willing to do it all, just for her very best friend Ophelia. Besides, once Monet saw how desperately Gauge needed medical attention, she knew she had made the right decision. Her sympathy immediately went out to him, and now she wasn't sure she would even be able to help him.
Ophelia could do nothing but wait for word on Gauge's condition. Monet had told her earlier that it looked very bad for him. She hadn't heard from Monet since they brought Gauge into the Operating room. She assumed that he had been stabilized, and they were now trying to repair his ravaged body. She could only hope that Monet, being the best surgeon and doctor in all of Sanction 9, would be able to help her newly found friend. Her eyes glanced once again to the clock on the cracked stone wall, just as the door to the operating unit creaked open. Ophelia immediately stood up, and looked directly at Monet, who was pulling the mask down off of her face.
"Gauge... is he...” Ophelia felt her heart racing for her friend. Monet approached Ophelia, who she could tell could barely stand. A gentle hand touched hers, and it was somewhat soothing to her.
"He's holding on. I just finished removing the bullet fragments and damaged tissue. There were three bullet wounds... all of them very badly infected. I'm actually shocked he managed to survive this long. By all rights, he should be dead right now. He's fallen deeply into Septicemia-- Blood Poisoning. I removed quite a large amount of infected tissue from his wounds. They will be open for a while before I can do anything to close them.” Monet sat down on the bench. Ophelia could see the blackish, infected blood on Monet's shoe covers. "I've started him on an IV of clindamycin to treat the infection, but he will need massive doses in a short period of time. I've also got him on fluids and Morphine, but I'm not sure if he will make it through the night. There is a very serious problem."
The nurse looked to her best friend in despair, tears running down her cheeks. "What... do you mean, a problem?",
"He needs a blood transfusion... desperately. He's lost so much blood that it will be impossible for his body to fight the infection without it. The problem is... Gauge has been genetically altered. It was more than likely his predecessor who was the one that underwent the experimentation, and Gauge received the same genetically altered blood upon birth. Unless we find someone who was also altered in the same method, with the same altered genetic material in their blood, Gauge will not survive. I'm really sorry Ophelia. I did everything I could." Monet sympathetically put her arms around the now crying Ophelia.
"I had the hospital give a call to his owner-- He's apparently been registered to a factory foreman. I have no idea how he could have registered being what he is... It must have been a bootleg tattoo. It's still valid, under the name Jade VonDrake"
Ophelia wiped her eyes "It's not like it matters anyhow. How on earth can we find blood to save him in time? Where do we even begin looking?"
"Ophelia my dear...” Monet placed her arms around her once again to comfort her. "He's been taken to the ICU. I’m sure that..."
"DOCTOR ITO!" A voice yelled as the door to the unit opened once again. Monet and Ophelia looked up immediately to see what was going on. It was another surgeon. "There's a man here... He claims he has the same blood type as your patient!! QUICKLY! We need to begin the transfusion immediately!"
Monet could only sit there for a split second in shock. When she finally regained herself, she smiled to Ophelia and patted her head. She then turned and rushed back to the ICU, leaving Ophelia all by herself once again in the hallway, waiting. She heaved a sigh, and leaned against the window. The dark sky was becoming a hazy purple outside. The snow from the previous night had turned to a dark rain that slapped against the glass. Ophelia could do nothing but plop back down on the bench and rest her head in her hands.
Who was this "man" that claimed to own Gauge? It couldn't be Koto-san. He was too poor to own a registered, working class clone. Was it that white haired man from earlier that day? Ophelia wondered if there was more to Gauge than she initially thought.
--
It wasn't until 9:00AM the next day, 11 hours after Gauge had first been admitted to the hospital, that Ophelia received word that Gauge was stable. He was thankfully given the transfusion he so desperately needed, and was resting in the intensive care unit. Ophelia had slept a bit while awaiting word on him, and was in the ladies room fixing herself up to prepare to visit Gauge. She had no idea what she would even say to him after seeing what she did last night. What would he say to her? Butterflies fluttered in her tummy as she buttoned her nurse uniform and gazed at her reflection.
Then there was the matter of Dublin.
He would definitely be there today. First she had to deal with him scolding her for not returning home that night and now there was the matter of Gauge. There was no hiding the fact that he was a clone. Ophelia took a deep breath and decided it would be best to just take the day as it came, and be relieved she was there, breathing and able to live. It was all because of Gauge that she was standing there right now, and she needed to at least thank him for what he did.
While walking towards the room that Monet had told her Gauge was located in, Ophelia could smell something peculiar, but extremely pleasant. Her black nurses' clogs stepped quietly towards the doorway to his room after hearing a quiet, yet deep voice speaking from within.
It was him. The white-haired man with the eye patch. Ophelia did not know the man, but recognized him from earlier. She also noticed something else. Something that made her jaw drop. A crowd of female nurses had gathered around the window to Gauge's room, and although they couldn't see him, they could see the gift that had been brought for him in hopes of his recovery.
There, on a table near the window was a gigantic bouquet of white, long stem roses.
Due to their rarity, Ophelia had never seen a flower in her entire life. She knew immediately that this man was not only RUBICON, but also filthy rich. She recalled Monet mentioning he was a factory foreman. Ophelia barged through the nurses, telling them to get back to work, and hid behind the wall. She could hear what was going on perfectly now.
Virgo, the white-haired man sat in a wooden chair next to the large iron bed where Gauge laid, propped up on soft white pillows. His head sunk deep into them, and he appeared to be coming out of deep sedation. There was a bedpan at his side, placed there for him when he became ill, as he had done more than a few times that morning. A clear oxygen mask covered his face to help him breathe through the night, and as Gauge coughed Virgo reached out his hand to pull it down, and allow him to cough up whatever had been troubling his breathing.
"There, there." he comforted. Gauge recognized his voice, and was indeed soothed by him. When he finally dragged his eyes open he could see the man sitting before him. Virgo took some tissues from the nightstand and gently helped wipe away the blood that Gauge had spit up all over his chin, and now speckled the once clean white sheets. His breathing was still shallow and weak, as the antibiotic had barely been given enough time to kick in. "Don't overdo it, Gauge." Virgo spoke softly.
Gauge winced in pain, but the pain wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been earlier that night. It wasn't a sickly pain like it had been. It was now dull, and seemingly eased by medication. He recognized this feeling all too well. For a moment, Gauge wasn't sure where he was. When his blurred vision finally focused, his teeth began to chatter. Virgo pulled the thin blanket up to his chin. "You gave me quite a scare. Don't you ever do that again, you understand me? How could you let those wounds get infected so terribly? You are lucky to be alive, Gauge."
Closing his eyes for a moment, Gauge knew Virgo was the type to reprimand him, but never in the tone of voice he was speaking in now. It was almost as if his iron heart was melting watching him in that hospital bed. "Sorry... Virgo-sama," his weak voice spoke softly.
"I brought you a little something to cheer you up. I know she is the reason you've been so upset lately." Virgo stood up, taking his cane and walking over to the flowers. "They remind you of her, do they not?”
Gauge squinted seeing the beautiful bouquet. He felt calm just seeing them from where he was in the bed. Virgo carried them over to the nightstand and placed them closer to Gauge, so that he could enjoy them better. "You shouldn't fret about those that have passed on. I know I'm sounding like a hypocrite, but I can't see you suffer like this any longer. I'm afraid we both have demons we need to release from our souls."
Gauge looked to the flowers and closed his eyes. He realized his cross pendant was there on the nightstand as well. He was still far too sick, and in far too much pain to care at the moment. He just wanted to rest.
"Please get better. I notified Koto-san that you were here, and that you are doing well. He sends his wishes, and hopes you are able to return home soon. I want you to get well, Gauge. That is an order." Virgo leaned in and kissed Gauge's forehead sweetly, and touched his cheek. He placed the oxygen mask back on his face, and proceeded to walk towards the exit. Ophelia quickly tried to make it look like she had been working there and had not been listening.
Virgo turned to her as he passed with a devious stare. "Next time you chose to eavesdrop, make sure not to get caught." His stern voice spoke as he limped down the hallway towards the desk. Ophelia stepped back in shock. This man was definitely sharp! In fact, he was almost as sharp as Monet.
"I want you to make sure he is well taken care of. I don't care the cost. If anything happens, I will have your job, and the job of everyone else in this hospital, you hear me?"
Wow... This guy was serious! He MUST be some big hot-shot RUBICON-type. She couldn't believe Gauge was owned by such a pompous jerk! She snarled in his direction as he walked away.
She then realized it was her turn to face Gauge...
_____
Four Days Earlier...
The sound of gunshots echoed off the walls of the small thrift shop, and shattered glass hit the floor. The old man ducked beneath his desk and had crawled into the cabinet for shelter from the barrage of bullets. Koto-san heard a few more shots and the sound of his bodyguard letting out a horrific cry of pain. He knew Gauge had been hit.
Gauge's eyes widened as the bullets tore into his flesh. One had found its way completely through, but two of the others remained inside, tearing his insides until they finally came to rest within him. His body collapsed into a nearby shelf of relics, knocking the entire display over with him. With the last of his strength, Gauge managed to lift his revolver and fired one final round of bullets. By the time he fired the sixth, the gang had already gotten away with the contents of the oji-san's cash-box.
"GAUGE-SAN!" the elderly man yelled out. He stood up and made his way over shattered glass towards where his fallen bodyguard lay. Using his cane, he knelt down beside Gauge and placed a hand over his bleeding stomach wound. Gauge let out a cry of pain.
His ruby-red eyes sparkled with tears as he turned to see his friend safe and sound, without a scratch. He could only smile, a pool of blood forming beneath him. He tried to talk, but it hurt just too damned much. "I let them get away...” he cried, his voice weak with agony.
Koto-san carefully held Gauge in his arms, his stern exterior melting for the one who had nearly given his life to protect him. Thankfully, it looked as though none of the bullets had hit any vital organs.
"It's alright Gauge-san-- you saved my life. Come on; let's get these wounds cleaned up. I'll draw you a hot bath, and I'll see if I can find a doctor to come look at them..."
The old man was quickly interrupted as Gauge forced himself into a sitting position. "NO! No Doctors! I'm completely fine! I've been shot before, this is nothing! I can take care of these wounds on my own!” Koto-san could see the pain in his eyes. He was wise, and knew Gauge was lying to hide the fact that he was afraid.
"I understand your fear for Hospitals, but this is serious! This may be the one you don't walk away from, Gauge-san."
___
Present day...
Those words echoed in Gauge's head as he rested. Koto-san had been right-- maybe he should have just listened and avoided this pain. Cold sweat poured down his forehead and soaked the sheets of the bed around him. His breathing was troubled as he slept, the oxygen mask barely helping him at all. In and out of sleep he drifted, fighting the many horrible thoughts that entered his mind.
He found himself lying on a table in a brightly lit laboratory, connected to all kinds of devices and plugs. He remembered the electrodes that pierced his spine, and how they barely used sedatives when they did their awful experimentations on his flesh.
There was one man in particular Gauge remembered from that time in his existence. A younger red-haired man with facial tattoos. He had a beautiful, but haunting face, and Gauge remembered it like it was just yesterday. He could never forget those piercing black eyes, and that long, blood-red hair that crept down his back to his feet. This was the man responsible for making him what he was. As an electrode pierced him, he saw the image disappear as fast as it had begun.
Then, suddenly, he felt at ease.
It was as if the pain had suddenly been lifted from his body. He could feel a warm breeze on his skin and the gentle touch of a soft hand on his arm, which was bandaged. Gauge remembered this place! Looking around, he found himself surrounded by a bright sky behind a shell of windows that created what he remembered to be a large greenhouse. He could smell the sweet scent of flowers, and hear the chirping of birds all around him. He realized he knew this place very well-- it was soothing to him.
And so was she.
He was sitting in what he remembered to be a wheelchair, his legs propped up on pillows. He could see they were obviously badly injured by the metal bars and fixation devices used to repair them. It didn't seem to matter to him at this moment, though, as he was so focused on the person that was kneeling beside him. She was so beautiful, so perfect, dressed in a clean white nurse's uniform. Her hair was long and reddish-brown, cascading down her back in perfect curls. Gauge smiled to her as her hand caressed his face and pulled him closer.
"I love you, Gauge" She whispered to him.
Gauge opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say it, it was as if the deaf girl already knew. Their lips met, and Gauge kissed her softly. Tears came to his eyes. He couldn't feel her lips-- it was as if she were fading away from him. He tried to reach his hand out to her, and suddenly found himself in the midst of a sandstorm. The scene had changed and he felt the sharp pain of bullet wounds. He tried to pick her up, but she kept falling. "ELLIE?!" he cried, but it was too late. The bullets had passed straight through him and struck her. Her body slumped to the ground, and he collapsed to his knees with her in his arms.
"ELLIE WAKE UP!" He cried out in the howling wind, shaking her gently. It was too late for the young woman... she was already gone.
"ELLIE! Don't leave me, PLEASE!" He continued to cry. "I LOVE YOU!"
His voice turned hoarse, and he could only speak in a whisper.
The scene faded to darkness, and he was pulled out of the terrible nightmare. His voice still spoke that very same name as he moved his head back and forth; trying so hard to come out of the coma he had fallen into. His eyes slowly unsealed and light filled his vision. The first thing he saw when he realized he was no longer asleep was the familiar face sitting in the chair next to him. His eyes focused, and he realized he was breathing normally. The pain had become less intense, and his fever had broken during his sleep.
"Nur...sey?" He managed, squinting in the bright light of the hospital room.
Ophelia, who had been resting herself, lifted her head slowly and dragged her eyes open. It didn't take her long at all to awaken when she noticed that Gauge was now awake, and from what she could see, his fever had broken. The antibiotics had finally helped him!
"Gauge? Are you awake?" She leaned forward, and grasped the rail of his bed. She could see him searching the room, and then attempting to sit up. He was indeed feeling MUCH better! She smiled in relief, seeing him grasp the stuffed cat that she had brought back to him. It had been repaired and washed, and it seemed as if this cat was very important to him. He held it close to him. "I... fixed him for you. Are you feeling better?" She asked, knowing he was more than likely afraid of where he was.
Gauge turned to her, and saw the bandage on her arm. He saw his own arm, full of IV needles and bandaged up to keep them in place. This made him shiver with terror, but he kept his fears quiet while she was there. Her presence soothed him for some reason. Maybe it was because Ophelia reminded him of...her. He looked away in shame, as the memories of last night came back to him.
"I... want to thank you... For saving my life last night." She said, bowing her head. She blushed, having noticed how sexy he was sitting there in the hospital bed all bandaged up and helpless. "I owe you my life.”
Turning to her, he examined her carefully. The girl must have taken him to the hospital last night, even after witnessing that he was in fact a wanted criminal, as well as a dangerous weapon. She had risked everything just to save his life. He saw her hand resting on the bed rail, and he reached out to touch it. "You saved me...” he spoke quietly. He looked as if he were about to cry.
"Don't worry, Gauge. You're going to be just fine. I made sure of it. And you don't have to worry about a thing. The doctor that is taking care of you is the best of the best. She knows everything, and she's still willing to make sure you leave here in good health. We have no intentions of turning you in, I promise!” Gauge's soft hands ran across her wedding band, and he pulled away.
"Why are you doing this for me?” he asked, still in a bit of pain. "Aren't you afraid of me? Aren't you grossed out by my scars and my torn-up body?”
Ophelia couldn't believe her ears! In her eyes, there was a gorgeous man sitting before her. "No... Not at all.” She tried to smile, although it killed her to hear him saying this. "You saved me, Gauge. You're my hero."
Gauge could see the sincerity in her eyes. Usually he was untrusting, but for some reason beyond him, he felt connected to Ophelia. Seeing her there in the nurse's uniform reminded him so much of the girl in his dreams. The girl that had saved his life not more than three years ago. He felt comfort, and although he had never been able to open up to someone so quickly before, he somehow knew that he could trust Ophelia.